Emilia Romagna GP: F1 personnel asked to leave Imola paddock amid concern over heavy rain

Formula 1 personnel have been advised to remain away the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix paddock on Wednesday amid continued concern over heavy rain in Imola ahead of this weekend's race.

Those who had already arrived at the circuit were instructed to leave on Tuesday afternoon, after the Italian authorities had issued flood and landslide warnings for the region, which has been bombarded by heavy rainfall in recent weeks.

The decision was taken as a precaution due to the rising level of water in the Santerno river, which runs just metres from the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

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While the paddock remained free from flooding on Wednesday morning, other parts of the area surrounding the circuit, such as car parks, have not.

Heavy rain is forecast to continue for the remainder of Wednesday, with showers only expected to relent in the early hours of Thursday morning.

F1 personnel had begun arriving at the circuit, which is scheduled to host the drivers' media availabilities on Thursday, ahead of on-track action at the sixth Grand Prix of the season getting under way with two practice sessions on Friday.

F1 officials, who are in regular communication with the local authorities, are expected to provide a further update on Wednesday afternoon.

Italy's civil protection minister Nello Mesemeci confirmed on Wednesday that the flooding had killed at least three people in the wider Emilia-Romagna region, while around 5,000 had been evacuated from their homes.

Ferrari said in a statement: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of Emilia-Romagna and Marche as they deal with the destruction caused by the heavy rain and flooding currently affecting the area."

F1's only other Italy-based team, AlphaTauri, made an appeal on Wednesday morning for donations to support those affected by flooding in the region.

Sky Sports F1's live Emilia Romagna GP schedule

Friday 19 May
8:50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Emilia Romagna GP Practice One
1:55pm: F3 Qualifying
2:50pm: F2 Qualifying
3:45pm: Emilia Romagna GP Practice Two
5:30pm: The F1 Show

Saturday 20 May
9am: F3 Sprint
11:15am: Emilia Romagna GP Practice Three
1:10pm: F2 Sprint
2:10pm: Emilia-Romagna GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: Emilia Romagna GP Qualifying
4:45pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook

Sunday 21 May
8:40am: F3 Feature Race
10:10am: F2 Feature Race
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday Emilia-Romagna GP build-up
2pm: The EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Emilia Romagna GP reaction
5pm: Ted's Notebook

Formula 1 returns to Imola for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix from May 19-21. Watch every session live on Sky Sports F1 including the race from 2pm on Sunday May 21.