Formula 1 in Imola: Organizer does not believe in replacement races this year

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Formula 1 at Imola: The calendar is probably already too full for a replacement race.

Photo: Luca Bruno / dpa

After the cancellation of the Formula 1 race in Imola due to heavy rainfall, the organizers do not expect a replacement event this year. Instead, the Italian Automobile Club (ACI) is hoping for an extension of the contract by one season. "Given the complexity of the calendar, it is safe to assume that the 2023 edition will take place in 2026," said ACI President Angelo Sticchi Damiani, "but at the moment this is certainly not a priority."

The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was supposed to take place from Friday to Sunday at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, but the region has been hit hard by the storms in Italy. On Wednesday, the decision was made not to allow the race weekend to take place as planned.

"It's such a tragedy"

Officially, however, Formula 1 and the FIA have not yet provided any information on a possible alternative date this year or one of the coming years. The contract at the Imola circuit was extended last year and runs until 2025. The calendar for the remainder of the 2023 season leaves little room for another race. The teams are unlikely to agree to a shortened summer break.

Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali said he was particularly touched by the consequences of the severe storms. "It's such a tragedy when you see what happened to Imola and Emilia-Romagna, the city and region where I grew up," said the series' managing director. The 58-year-old was born in Imola and was also team boss at Ferrari for a long time.

The Scuderia has its racing factory in Maranello, about an hour's drive from the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. "Emilia-Romagna is our home. It's heartbreaking what people are going through right now," said new Ferrari team boss Frédéric Vasseur. Even if the Grand Prix, which was planned as the sixth round of the season on Sunday, would have been a home race for Ferrari, the racing team supported the decision to cancel.

The area on the Adriatic coast has been hit by severe storms since Tuesday. At least eight people were killed. "I know we all understand that safety comes first," wrote record world champion Lewis Hamilton on Instagram.

Because the cancellation was due to force majeure, the track operator in Imola at least does not have to pay the millions in fees for the race to Formula 1. However, tens of thousands of ticket holders are expected to have to be compensated.

ARA/SID