Formula 1 has cancelled this week's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola due to the adverse weather that continues to hover in the region and to local floods.
For the second time in two weeks, Northern Italy is suffering the wrath of the elements, with devastating floods and landslides leaving several people dead and hundreds homeless, with the worst-affected area being the Emilia Romagna region.
Fifteen rivers in the area broke their banks, while the Santerno waterway that runs next to the Imola circuit reached alarming levels that threatened to wreak havoc on the F1 paddock.
On Tuesday, Imola Circuit staff and F1 personnel were ordered to evacuate the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari as precautionary measures were put in place.
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On Wednesday morning, Italian deputy prime minister and transport minister Matteo Salvini called for the race to be postponed in order to "dedicate ourselves to relief work" in the region.
Subsequently, after meetings took place between Formula 1, the event's promoter and authorities, and with relief efforts focused on helping those in urgent need, it was logically decided on Wednesday afternoon to call off the sixth round of the F1 World Championship.
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"Following discussions between Formula 1, the President of the FIA, the competent authorities including the relevant Ministers, the President of the Automobile Club of Italy, the President of Emilia Romagna Region, the Mayor of the City and the promoter the decision has been taken not to proceed with the Grand Prix weekend in Imola," read a statement from F1.
"The decision has been taken because it is not possible to safely hold the event for our fans, the teams and our personnel and it is the right and responsible thing to do given the situation faced by the towns and cities in the region. It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time."
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