Formula 1 teams have backed the decision to cancel the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix due to adverse weather in the region. The race was due to run this weekend but heavy rainfall in the area has led to floods, local infrastructure problems, and deaths as emergency service deal with a rescue effort. F1 personnel was told to stay away from the circuit just hours before a decision was take to cancel the race, while the Italian government called for it to be postponed and to focus on the recovery efforts. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali, have expressed their sorrow at the situation , while F1 drivers have also been united in showing their support for people in the region.
Teams show support for F1 and Emilia Romagna community
Teams have also shown their support and believe that the right decision was taken, after meetings between F1, the promoters, and local authorities took place. "Following the heavy rain that has been affecting northern Italy, we support the decision taken by F1 to not proceed with the Grand Prix in Imola this weekend. Safety to all those involved and in the region is paramount and has to take priority," said Red Bull in a statement. Gunther Steiner, Team Principal of Haas, said the impact on the region has been already seen by various team members who made it to the track and area. "Our entire team's thoughts are very much with the people affected by the flooding in the Emilia Romagna region - many of our track personnel having already seen for themselves the impact it's having on the people and the area," said Steiner. "We are fully supportive of Formula 1 and the FlA's decision to not proceed with this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. We will continue to keep the local community in mind, their on-going safety is paramount, and we express our thanks to the authorities and emergency services in the region for their tireless efforts at this challenging time." AlphaTauri, who are based in Faenza near Imola, have expressed their concern but confirmed that their factory is unaffected by the floods. A statement read: "Scuderia AlphaTauri is very concerned about events unfolding over the past hours in Faenza and indeed in the whole Emilia Romagna area, with flooding and heavy rain causing considerable damage. The team's factory is currently unaffected and everything is being done to ensure the safety of our employees and their families." More statements amid the news can be viewed below.
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F1 has confirmed that the #ImolaGP has been cancelled due to extreme flooding in the area. Our immediate thoughts are with the people of Emilia-Romagna as the destruction caused by the heavy rain affects the lives of so many here. pic.twitter.com/VCgtiCIRT5 — McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 17, 2023
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The decision has been taken not to proceed with the Grand Prix weekend in Imola. Our thoughts are with those affected by the flooding in the region 💙 #WeAreWilliams pic.twitter.com/JrlD1Ts63B — Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) May 17, 2023
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F1 is more than a community - it is a family. Let’s all help our friends @AlphaTauriF1 as they raise funds for their home region, badly affected by the floods. Our thoughts are with the people of Emilia-Romagna and other affected areas. https://t.co/Ttlvr8gMFd — Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake (@alfaromeostake) May 17, 2023
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pic.twitter.com/ADAAd50weC — Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) May 17, 2023
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BWT Alpine F1 Team fully supports the decision taken by @F1 to not proceed with the 2023 Emilia-Romagna GP. Our thoughts are with those who are impacted by the ongoing flooding in the Emilia-Romagna region. #Alpine pic.twitter.com/xRCZUWQgA0 — BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) May 17, 2023
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pic.twitter.com/7MlRcYkJq2 — Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) May 17, 2023
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