F1 News: Italian Government Calls For Emilia Romagna Grand Prix To Be Postponed
The Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has called for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix to be cancelled amid the ongoing flood disaster that the region is experiencing.
Reports were released on Monday evening of severe weather warnings in the area of rain, wind, and thunderstorms. Since then, photos have been released showing the horrific flooding in the local areas as well as the F1 paddock covered in water. F1 staff were ordered to evacuate the paddock on Tuesday and were instructed to not come back today or until further notice.
A meeting is currently ongoing between the event holders and local officials and we an announcement is due later this afternoon about whether the grand prix will be going ahead.
However, in the meantime, Salvini has made his view on the situation clear, calling for the event to be postponed so that all efforts can go into sorting out the local residents. He explained:
"In the light of direct contacts between the minister, the institutions and the associations involved.
"Let's dedicate ourselves to relief efforts."
At this point it is difficult to see how the grand prix will go ahead this weekend, with three people tragically losing their lives with the flooding and landslides, as well as the current state of the Imola track. However, some teams are said to be expecting a change in schedule rather than a full cancellation.
We will of course keep on top of the updates coming from the track over the next few hours and days and our thoughts go out to those living in the region at this awful time.