The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has been red-flagged before it could be green-lit.
Formula 1 was scheduled to shift back to Europe this weekend, with the Emilia Romagna GP set for the fan-favorite Imola Circuit.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature apparently is not an F1 fan. Devastating storms have caused flooding and landslides around Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, which led to organizers canceling the race.
The decision has been taken not to proceed with the Grand Prix weekend in Imola#EmiliaRomagnaGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/4taauGnFEA
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 17, 2023
MORE: What happens if an F1 race is canceled?
While weather has certainly affected F1 races in the past, this was far too much for the region to overcome to have lights out this weekend. Thirteen deaths have been reported in the region and over 20,000 people have been displaced following the storms that ravaged the area. F1 teams were advised to leave the paddock on the Tuesday before race weekend.
Footage from the circuit was also unpleasant; several parts of the track were underwater:
Imola, autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola allagato, Gran Premio Formula 1 annullato #imola #formula1 #granpremio #emiliaromagna #localteam pic.twitter.com/PqOoXmfBnO
— Local Team (@localteamtv) May 17, 2023
There's no word on whether the race will be rescheduled for later in the calendar, but a makeup would be difficult given the lack of available weekends on the 2023 F1 slate. While some have pointed to the open weekend following the Italian Grand Prix in September, it's not logistically possible. Teams will be in Singapore the following week, and the calendar would then have races on five consecutive weekends.
The last F1 cancellation was in 2020, when the Australian GP was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When is the next F1 race?
- Race: Monaco Grand Prix
- Date: Sunday, May 28
F1 should be back in just over a week's time with its marquee event. The race could continue the good vibes for Red Bull: Sergio Perez took the win in 2022, and he already has two race wins this year, tying a career high.
