CEO Stefano Domenicali signals that F1 might not return to ‘canceled’ Imola GP later in 2023

The Imola GP has been 'canceled' due to storms and flooding in Emilia-Romagna, and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali thinks it's unlikely to be held later in 2023.

CEO Stefano Domenicali signals that F1 might not return to ‘canceled’ Imola GP later in 2023

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali

It came out on Wednesday that the Formula 1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, popularly called the ‘Imola GP’ or just ‘Imola’ will not be proceeding forward this weekend. This happened due to heavy rains, and flooding in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. The region has been experiencing horrible, stormy weather conditions for some time, and there have been landslides as well. Schools and bridges have been closed. Till now, at least eight people have lost their lives.

It’s a really bad situation. The average amount of rainfall over the last 36 hours is 200mm. But, the Civil Protection Minister, Nello Muscumeci, said that some areas had received half a year’s rainfall in the same timeframe. In addition to this, at least 50,000 people were left without electricity as a result of the heavy rains, and flooding. In such conditions, it’s impossible to see a Grand Prix being held safely, or at all. The decision to not hold it is undoubtedly correct.

The track itself was flooded in some parts, with the rising water level from the adjacent Santerno River. The water level in many areas is continuing to rise. The rains are expected to ease in the coming days, but it’s hard to say with certainty. F1 had earlier been confident that the event will proceed, but as you can tell, that is not the case. This leaves the question: Is the event completely canceled for 2023, or will it perhaps be accommodated sometime else on the calendar?

FS Video

In conversation with Sky Sport24, Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali shed light on the decision. He said: “There are difficult decisions but in certain situations, they have to be taken. It is logical to give priority to what is happening. It is a difficult situation and the priority was the safety of the population that is suffering. We are close to those who are suffering, we are also starting a fundraising campaign for the region for the AlphaTauri stable, which is based in Faenza.”

Read More: Why was the 2023 Imola GP canceled?

F1 will try to find the ‘right solution’ for the Emilia-Romagna (Imola) GP

The state of the Imola circuit, the venue of the Emilia-Romagna GP (Picture through @mik94__ on Twitter)
The state of the Imola circuit, the venue of the Emilia-Romagna GP (Picture through @mik94__ on Twitter)

Faenza, where AlphaTauri is based, is only some 17 kilometers away from Imola. The region has suffered extensive damage, and as Stefano Domenicali described it: “Some of the guys working for the team [AlphaTauri] have lost everything. In agreement with the authorities, we will lend a hand in a very complicated situation. When I arrived on Tuesday evening it was clear that there was no other alternative. The complexity of organising an event like a GP takes manpower, logistics and facilities.”

Domenicali, who himself was born in Imola, added: “The track would have been ready to be run, but the priority was something else. Having said that, I informed all the teams and nobody had any objections. We are sorry for the Imola fans and enthusiasts, we will try to find the right solution. Given the tight schedule in 2023, it is difficult to think we can make up for it this year, but we have a moral obligation to those who have worked so hard and we will see.”

The current deal of the race runs until 2025, but Domenicali would be open to extending it to 2026 in order to recover. That is if it cannot be rescheduled for 2023. The Italian said: “With the extension of the Imola contract in 2026, the date of this race could be recovered that season. It is an option on the table.”

Earlier, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini had called for the race to be postponed. The conditions had been bad on Tuesday as well, when F1 personnel and teams were evacuated from the paddock. They were later told to stay away from the circuit, due to the flooding risk. Many images of the paddock emerged, and it quickly became clear that the focus must be on rescue efforts. It’ll be interesting to see if the race will be held later or not.

In case you missed it: