F1 News: Hungarian Grand Prix Will Undergo Huge Changes After Imola GP Cancellation

The catastrophic floods in Emilia Romagna have left a tragic toll, with 13 lives lost, over 10,000 people displaced, and billions of euros in damages. In light of this heart-wrenching scenario that has brought the local population to its knees, Formula 1 swiftly made the decision on Wednesday to cancel the Imola Grand Prix. Consequently, the world championship calendar will now consist of 'only' 22 races, with the Emilia Romagna GP expected to carry on as usual next year instead of being placed later on this year's calendar.

Enthusiasts and insiders had been eagerly anticipating the weekend at the famous Ferrari Circuit, as it marked the start of the European leg of the season and typically brought a significant wave of updates to the single-seaters. Mercedes, for example, was one of these teams with a huge update planned for their W14 in the shape of a new floor, front suspension setup, and sidepod arrangement.

The Change Of Qualifying Format

Beyond the teams' plans for car upgrades, Imola was also designated as the venue for testing a new qualifying format. This format would have required drivers to use the Hard compound in Q1, the Medium in Q2, and the Soft in Q3. The change aimed to reduce the number of tire sets used per driver from 13 to 11, thus promoting environmental sustainability. Additionally, an extreme wet tire, which eliminated the need for pre-heating, had been prepared specifically for the Emilia Romagna GP.

However, given the gravity of the situation in Italy, the focus has rightfully shifted away from sporting matters. Consequently, the implementation of the new qualifying format will not occur this weekend as planned.

According to reports from Motorsport Magazine, Formula 1, in collaboration with Pirelli, has chosen the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 21-23 as the evaluation opportunity for the revised qualifications. Furthermore, Pirelli has requested that the governing body and Liberty Media identify a replacement race for Imola, providing another chance to test the new Saturday afternoon format.