At least two people died due to weather conditions that hit the area throughout May.

Heavy rain caused more than a dozen rivers to burst their banks in 24 hours, while a red weather warning for flooding and landslides remained in place this weekend.

This resulted in the displacement of many locals while an emergency flood relief fundraiser was established.

On Tuesday afternoon, F1 instructed paddock crews to set up garages and hospitality units off the track in case of the threat of flooding in the nearby Santeno River.

They were also instructed not to return to the venue at all on Wednesday. Meanwhile, some teams have chosen to move staff to different hotels.

Pictures and videos have also emerged on social media showing support paddocks and televisions being breached by water.

Now, following discussions with authorities and race promoters on Wednesday morning, tournament chiefs have ruled that the race cannot be played safely.

Mick Schumacher of the Haas VF-22 leaves the garage

Photography: Andy Horn / motorsport pictures

It also doesn’t fit with the risk to the community and the heightened pressure on emergency services in the area.

F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said: “It is such a tragedy to see what happened to Imola and Emilia Romagna, and I am very proud of it. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flood and the affected families and communities.

“I want to express my gratitude and admiration to the incredible emergency services who worked tirelessly to help those in need and ease the situation – they are heroes and the whole of Italy is very proud of them.

The decisions that have been taken are the right ones for the local community and everyone in the F1 family, as we need to ensure safety and not place an additional burden on the authorities as they deal with this very bad situation. “

A statement from F1 read: “The Formula 1 community wishes to convey its thoughts to the people and communities affected by the recent events in the Emilia-Romagna region.

We would also like to pay tribute to the work of emergency services who do everything they can to help those in need.

“Following discussions between Formula 1, the President of the FIA, the competent authorities including the ministers concerned, the President of the Automobile Club of Italy, the President of the Emilia Romagna Region, the mayor and the promoters, the decision has been taken not to proceed At Imola Grand Prix weekend.

“This decision was taken because it was impossible to hold games safely for our fans, the team and our staff, and it was the right and responsible thing to do given the circumstances facing towns and cities in the region. This will be done in these difficult times. It is wrong to put further pressure on local authorities and emergency services.”

FIA President Mohammad bin Sulayem added: “My thoughts and that of the entire FIA ​​family are with those affected by the dire situation in the Emilia Romagna region. The safety and security of all involved Getting back to work is the top priority right now.”

view of wet track

Photography: Steve Etherington/ motorsport pictures

Italy’s deputy prime minister and transport minister, Matteo Salvini, had called for the race to be postponed to “dedicate his life to relief efforts”.

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is ​​considered unlikely to be rescheduled for later in the year due to the crowded schedule.

That means the 2023 schedule has been cut by two rounds following the widely expected cancellation of the Chinese Grand Prix, originally scheduled for April 16 but canceled due to the country’s ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. That created a four-week gap between the Australia and Azerbaijan rounds.

With the Australian Grand Prix apparently canceled in 2020 due to the outbreak of the pandemic, the decision was finally made on Friday morning before free practice. F1 did cancel Saturday’s schedule for the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix due to the threat of Typhoon Hagibis. This means qualifying has been brought forward to Sunday morning.

The 2023 season will resume with the Monaco Grand Prix on the weekend of May 26-28.