The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix is ​​canceled due to flooding

Afp

Newspaper La Jornada
Thursday May 18, 2023, p. a10

Paris. The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, the sixth round of the Formula 1 World Cup that was to be held from Friday to Sunday at the famous Imola circuit, was canceled due to flooding that caused at least nine deaths in that region of Italy.

After talks between Formula One, the president of the International Automobile Federation, the competent authorities, including the head of the Italian Automobile Club, the ruler of the Emilia-Romagna region, the mayor of the city and the promoter, made the decision that the Grand Prix will not take place in ÍmolaF1 announced in a statement.

This determination was made because it was not possible to safely organize the race for our fans, teams and staff. It is a responsible decision due to the situation in the cities and towns of the region. It would not be fair to increase the pressure on local authorities and intervention services in a difficult periodhighlights the text.

Regional authorities confirmed that nine people died from the floods, which devastated entire towns.

The streets were submerged by water after torrential rains that overflowed a dozen rivers. Many residents were left incommunicado and forced to take refuge on the roofs of their houses.

According to the Minister of Civil Protection, Nello Musumeci, 50,000 people were left without electricity and some 5,000 were evicted with the help of boats and helicopters.

The condolences of teams and pilots did not wait: All my thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. We won’t be racing there this weekend, but I hope we can go back soon. Please take care!stated the Mexican Sergio Czech Pérez, who is second in the Formula 1 championship, 14 points behind his Red Bull teammate, the Dutchman Max Verstappen.

With 24 races initially scheduled, now 22 after the cancellation of the Chinese GP due to covid-19, the 2023 season, the longest in history, will continue next week in Monaco.