Formula One drivers and teams have issued their unequivocal support for the decision to cancel this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
They have stood squarely by Formula One, the local authorities and the promoter in Imola after they agreed on Wednesday that it was not safe to race because of the risks of flooding caused by severe weather in the Italian region.
F1 was unwilling to potentially add to the burden on the community and emergency services, a sentiment shared by many of the drivers who spoke out in support.
Lewis Hamilton believed F1 had got its priorities right. “Hoping everyone in Emilia-Romagna is able to stay safe and look out for each other right now,” the seven times world champion said. “Thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy and the amazing emergency services working on the ground. I know we all understand that safety comes first. Can’t wait to see you all at the next race.”
He was supported by the world champion, Max Verstappen. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by the severe rainfall and flooding in the greater Emilia-Romagna region. We wish you all strength to ensure your safety throughout this period,” said the Red Bull driver.
Eight people have died as a result of the extreme weather conditions in the Emilia-Romagna region in May, with many people displaced by flooding, forcing hundreds to be evacuated from their homes and subject to emergency relief.
Red threat-level warnings of further flooding and landslides had been issued for this week, prompting fears F1 was an additional complication that would only be a burden on resources.
Ferrari’s base at Maranello is only 50 miles from the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, which is considered a home race for the team, and the Ferrari principal, Fred Vasseur, also expressed his solidarity with the people suffering in the region.
“On behalf of everyone working at Scuderia Ferrari, I would like to express our deepest sympathy to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy,” he said. “Emilia-Romagna is our homeland and it’s heartbreaking to see what people are going through at the moment.” His sentiments were reiterated across the grid by teams unanimously backing the decision.
The British driver George Russell said the decision had been correct. “Sorry for the fans that this weekend’s race has been cancelled but the safety of everyone involved always has to come first,” he said. “Wishing all the best to everyone in the Emilia-Romagna region and surrounding areas that have been affected by these floods.”
The FIA said in a statement on its website: “The decision has been taken because it is not possible to safely hold the event for our fans, the teams and our personnel and it is the right and responsible thing to do given the situation faced by the towns and cities in the region. It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time.”
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Stefano Domenicali, the head of Formula One, said: “It is such a tragedy to see what has happened to Imola and Emilia-Romagna, the town and region that I grew up in, and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flooding and the families and communities affected.”
The decision came after Italy’s deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, called for the race to be postponed. Salvini, who is also Italy’s transport minister, said in a statement it was “imperative to concentrate all efforts on coping with the emergency”, including avoiding a traffic overload in the area. “Let’s dedicate ourselves to relief efforts,” he said.
That came after Formula One and the authorities in Imola told teams and personnel not to attend the circuit.
On Tuesday the F1 paddock at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari was evacuated as a precaution because of the risk of flooding from the adjacent Santerno river, which runs within metres of the paddock. Elsewhere in Italy, adverse weather conditions have affected cycling’s Giro d’Italia as well as interrupting play at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome. Denmark’s Magnus Cort, who won stage 10 of the Giro in Viareggio on Tuesday, said it had been “one of the hardest days I’ve spent on the bike”.
The race in Imola had been due to open F1’s first triple header of the season, with races to follow on consecutive weekends in Monaco and Spain. Due to complexities of the sport’s packed schedule, at this stage it is not thought it will be possible to reschedule the race for later in the year, dropping the number of races from a record 23 to 22.