Imola Rescheduling: Extending F1 Contract Until 2026?

In the wake of devastating floods, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix faces possible cancellation. Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the Automobile Club d’Italia’s president, suggests this could trigger a one-year extension of the current F1 contract. Amidst safety concerns and tight schedules, this unusual situation could see the Imola race postponed to 2026, creating an unprecedented shift in F1’s usual operations.

Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the President of the Automobile Club d’Italia, has proposed that due to the possible cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend, the current F1 contract might be extended by a year.

The severe floods in the area have led to a joint decision by local authorities, F1, and the FIA not to proceed with the race in the interest of safety. The inundation has placed significant strain on emergency services, who are focused on disaster relief, and with numerous access routes to Imola now shut, ensuring the safety of everyone involved – including officials, spectators, and the local population – is unfeasible.

The likelihood of the race being pushed to later in the year is slim given the scarcity of available weekends leading up to the season’s close.

F1 does have a history of postponing and later rescheduling races due to unforeseen circumstances, as witnessed during the 1995 Pacific GP at Aida, which was moved from April to October in response to the Great Hanshin earthquake.

However, at that time, the calendar had space to accommodate the shift, resulting in it being organized back-to-back with the Japanese GP.

In this instance, the Imola authorities may have to wait until 2026 for the rescheduling, as indicated by Sticchi Damiani. This would be an extension to the existing contract set to conclude in 2025.

Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the Automobile Club d’Italia’s president, has indicated that the forthcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix’s cancellation might trigger a one-year extension to the existing F1 contract.

The decision to cancel the event was taken swiftly by F1 and the FIA, following extensive conversations with local authorities, in the wake of fatal floods in the region.

The region’s emergency services are strained due to ongoing relief operations, and with several routes to Imola closed, safety for everyone involved – such as officials, spectators, and local residents – cannot be assured.

Given the few remaining weekends till the season’s conclusion, it seems highly improbable that the race will be rescheduled this year.

F1 does have a history of cancelling and later rescheduling races due to extraordinary events. For instance, the 1995 Pacific GP at Aida was moved from April to October in response to the Great Hanshin earthquake.

However, in that case, there was room in the calendar, allowing it to be held consecutively with the Japanese GP.

Sticchi Damiani has suggested that this rescheduling might take place in 2026, which means Imola officials might have to wait three years. This would act as an extension to the existing contract set to expire in 2025.

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