Formula 1

F1 CEO Domenicali Reacts to Tragic Hometown Flooding

Published

3 weeks ago

17/05/2023

In the face of severe flooding, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, slated to occur in Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali’s hometown, Imola, has been cancelled. As the extreme weather claims lives and uproots families, Domenicali supports the safety-first decision amidst the catastrophe that has turned his birthplace into a tragedy.

Stefano Domenicali, the president and CEO of F1, has labeled the situation in his hometown of Imola and the Emilia Romagna region, where he was born and brought up, as a “tragedy”.

After extensive communication with local authorities since the onset of F1’s arrival in preparation for the grand prix at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the decision has been reached that the event must be cancelled for safety reasons due to the localized flooding.

The extreme weather in the region has claimed the lives of three individuals in recent weeks, causing a strain on emergency services and forcing many residents to abandon their homes.

Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula One Group, has confirmed that the choice to cancel the Emila Romagna Grand Prix as a result of the area’s flooding was the right decision.

The determination to abandon the race was reached on Wednesday afternoon, in light of a week-long severe flooding in Italy’s Emilia Romagna region that has sadly resulted in at least five fatalities.

Staff members of F1 were instructed to avoid the race track due to safety concerns, and following this, the verdict was made to cancel the Grand Prix, a couple of days prior to the planned start of the practice session.

The rescheduling of the race remains uncertain at this moment, and considering the packed itinerary, it seems improbable.

In a statement on the official F1 website, Domenicali asserted, “The course of action adopted is the most appropriate for both the local communities and the F1 family, as our priority must be to guarantee safety and not impose an additional load on authorities who are grappling with this horrendous situation.”

The uncertainty over the race’s occurrence lingered throughout the week, and teams have now been informed well in advance that the event won’t take place.

The Italian Transport Minister, voicing his concerns before the official cancellation, stated that the race shouldn’t proceed while there were apprehensions about the feasibility of hosting thousands of spectators and diverting crucial emergency service resources and equipment.

Moreover, concerns were raised that the Santerno River, situated on the outskirts of the Imola circuit, might overflow its banks, causing further disruption to the track.

Consequently, with the earlier cancellation of the Chinese Grand Prix last month, the original 24-race plan has now been reduced to 22.

Domenicali, who hails from the Emilia Romagna region, extended his praise to those working on the frontline of this crisis and expressed his deepest sympathies for those severely impacted.

“Observing the tragic events unfolding in Imola and Emilia-Romagna, the town and region I call home, deeply saddens me, and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flood and the families and communities affected.

“I wish to extend my sincere gratitude and respect for the remarkable emergency services who are working round the clock to provide aid and mitigate the situation – they are the true heroes and the entirety of Italy takes pride in them.

FIA President Sulayem Supports Domenicali, Prioritizes Safety Amid Emilia-Romagna Crisis

Mohammad Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, seconded Domenicali’s sentiments, adding, “My thoughts and those of the entire FIA family are with those affected by the dreadful situation in the Emilia-Romagna region. The safety of everyone involved and recovery efforts remain the top priorities at this challenging time.”

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