The pack up operation at the Imola circuit has commenced following the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Formula 1 personnel have been allowed access to the circuit after being told to stay away on 17th May, however this was only for essential activities only.
This includes dismantling the motorhomes and equipment that had been setup in the days prior to the weekend, including for both the Formula 1 and support race paddocks.
Drone shots taken on the Wednesday hours after F1 announced the cancellation of the race show the extent of the floods that hit the track, largely affecting the TV compound and support paddock area.
Circuit clean up operation underway
Images from the circuit on Thursday afternoon show that most of the water has dried up overnight, however it has still affected the clean up operation and access to the circuit.
F1 Chief Executive Officer, Stefano Domenicali, highlighted the decision to not proceed with the race was taken to ensure there was not an "extra burden for authorities" while they dealt with the aftermath of the floods.
RacingNews365.com Editorial Director, Dieter Rencken, was on the ground at the Hotel Rivazza located near the circuit opposite the TV compound and support paddock.
Images follow below.
Rencken: Track inaccessible to fans
Initially, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was cancelled due to the emergency services in the wider region. But apart from that, they would have got massively bad press if it continued. Fans at the track would have been stuck because there was nowhere to park.
So it's a good move from them to say 'we could not stage the race due to the emergency services situation' but frankly even if this had been the only area that had got wet and nowhere else, I don't think the Grand Prix could have gone ahead. There is nowhere to park cars and people would have walked through muddy fields.
Santerno River reaches high levels after heavy rainfall
The Imola circuit is located next to the Santerno River, which reached dangerous levels over the last couple of days as heavy rainfall hit the Emilia Romagna area.
A red weather alert was issued on the Monday and lasted through to Wednesday, with as much as 100mm of rain falling in the 48-hour period.
Also interesting:
Balve Bains is joined by RacingNews365.com Editorial Director Dieter Rencken and Asia Correspondent Michael Butterworth to ask if Mattia Binotto could really join Alpine, what Pirelli's new tyres are about and the latest on the Red Bull-Ford partnership!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and don't miss a thing of Formula 1
Subscribe to our Youtube channelMost read
In this article
F1 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix RN365 News dossier
Join the conversation!