Motorsport

SUNDAY’S Emilia Romagna GP has been CANCELLED due to heavy flooding in the region.All staff were told to stay away from the track today after being evacuated yesterday.
Flooding in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy means Sunday’s F1 Grand Prix has been cancelledCredit: EPA
Heavy rain has fallen in the areaCredit: EPA
An aerial view of the region, where rain is predicted to continue to fallCredit: Rex
The Santerno river runs right next to the circuit in ImolaCredit: AFP
Emergency services have been evacuating people from their homes and while the race track itself was not flooded, the nearby river is close to bursting its banks.
And F1 confirmed today that the race is off, saying “it is not possible to safely hold the event”.
The drivers were originally expected to arrive at the circuit tomorrow, with the first practice session due to be held on Friday.

But now the entire weekend has been cancelled.
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An F1 statement read: “The Formula 1 community wants to send its thoughts to the people and communities affected by the recent events in the Emilia-Romagna region.
“We also want to pay tribute to the work of the emergency services who are doing everything they can to help those in need.
“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 at Imola.
“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.
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“It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time.”
And FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “My thoughts and those of the entire FIA family are with those affected by the terrible situation in the Emilia Romagna region.
“The safety of everyone involved and recovery efforts are the top priority at this time
In an Instagram story, Brit F1 legend Lewis Hamilton said his thoughts are with those caught up in the floods.
He wrote: “Hoping everyone in Emilia Romagna is able to stay safe and look out for each other right now. Thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy and the amazing emergency services working on the ground.
“I know we all understand that safety comes first. I can’t wait to see you all at the next race.”
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell said the safety of those involved must come first.
He wrote: “Sorry for the fans that this weekend’s race has been cancelled but the safety of everyone involved always has to come first.
“Wishing all the best to everyone in the Emilia-Romagna region and surrounding areas that have been affected by these floods.”
And fellow Brit Lando Norris wrote: “I love racing, but the safety of everyone else is more important.
“Sorry to all the fans, we’ll be back Imona, stay safe.”
The BBC say F1 will look to see if the race can be rescheduled, but the busy 23-race calendar means it is thought to be unlikely.
The vast amount of rain to have fallen in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy has left part of this weekend’s venue underwater.
The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari is located right next to the Santerno river.
And there is a red weather warning in place as adverse conditions continue to batter the region.
Thursday is forecast to be dry at the track, but rain is expected to return over the weekend.
It is the first time an F1 race has been cancelled due to the weather however totally understandable given the flooding risk.
The race was also due to be part of a triple-header with races in Monaco and Barcelona in consecutive weekends.
Should F1 have run into difficulties on Sunday evening with packing away the cars, equipment and motorhomes, it would have had a knock on effect.
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The logistics surrounding the construction of the Monaco paddock, which is squeezed in around the marina, are already a strain on the riggers.
A delay could have meant that next week’s race would have been impacted.
An F1 statement said “it is not possible to safely hold the event”Credit: AFP
The situation could impact the Monaco GP, which is scheduled for next weekCredit: EPA More

HEAVY FLOODING at Imola means the track has been closed, putting this weekend’s Emilia Romagna F1 Grand Prix in serious doubt.All staff have been told to stay away from the track and an update from F1 bosses is expected at 1pm.
Buenos días. Me llegan estas imágenes de Imola. El paddock y boxes de F1 están ok. Las zonas más bajas como F2 están con mucha agua. Hoy se ha prohibido al personal ir al circuito hasta que sean avisados. #f1 #EmiliaRomagnaGP pic.twitter.com/jzDnRqP54p— Albert Fabrega (@AlbertFabrega) May 17, 2023

The Emilia-Romagna region has been hit by floodsCredit: Reuters
Rain has battered the region, where the F1 Grand Prix is due to be held this weekendCredit: EPA
Sunday’s GP is currently in doubtCredit: EPA
Images of the circuit have been shared on social mediaCredit: Twitter / @Julien_FEBREAU
An update is expected on Wednesday afternoonCredit: Twitter / @Cl16__FanpageFr
Drivers are expected to arrive at the track on ThursdayCredit: Twitter / @Cl16__FanpageFr
The vast amount of rain to have fallen in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy has left part of the venue underwater.
And it means this Sunday’s Emilia Romagna GP could be in doubt.
Yesterday, circuit bosses evacuated the paddock due to flood risks.
The main F1 paddock is currently above water, but some other areas are flooded, according to the BBC.
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The circuit is located right next to the Santerno river.
And there is a red weather warning in place as adverse conditions continue to batter the region.
After the track was evacuated on Tuesday, heavy rain persisted overnight.
More rain is expected throughout Wednesday.
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The drivers are scheduled to arrive at the track on Thursday for the weekend’s action.
But the conditions could have a knock-on effect on the Monaco GP, which is scheduled for next week.
The logistics of packing down from Imola in poor conditions and getting out on the already congested and closed roads could prove to be difficult.
This weekend’s GP is the first of three races in three weeks, with the Spanish GP in Barcelona set to follow after Emilia Romagna and Monaco.
What does this mean for the Emilia Romagna GP?By Ben Hunt
What happens next?
F1, FIA, the circuit owners, plus the promoter who host the event will meet this morning to assess the flood risk. A further update will be made around 1pm.
Can they cancel the race?
They can do, but if the river has not yet breached the bank, it is likely to remain in place. Like we learned from Covid, F1 like to cut these things fine and give the best opportunity to have the race go ahead as planned. The majority of turn equipment has now been set up so the focus will be to get the race underway.
What’s the weather forecast?
It is still raining, which is the concern, for it is causing the river to rise. But it is due to ease over the next fews days, however, more rain is expected on Sunday.
Will this impact the Monaco GP next week?
It could do. Monaco is notoriously difficult to set up due to the limited space and bigger motor homes. Aside from flood damage, the biggest headache will be the logistics of packing down from Imola in poor conditions and getting out on the already congested and closed roads.
What other measures can they take?
The sensible option would be to make this a non-spectator event. Cutting the risk factor of having people stuck at the track, plus it would also ease congestion allowing teams and emergency services to operate safely and effectively. More

LEWIS Hamilton seems to be pulling out all the stops as he reportedly tries to schmooze the newly-single Shakira. The F1 legend showed off his chivalry when he whisked the Colombian songstress off for a boat day with pals in Miami – by picking her up from the back of her £12million beach mansion.
Lewis Hamilton picked Shakira up from the back of her Miami mansion for the boat dayCredit: RM/MEGA
The F1 ace rushed to help the singer as she strutted down her private dockCredit: The Mega Agency
The pair enjoyed a day on the water with pals cruising around Biscayne BayCredit: The Mega Agency
He even ensured she got home safe by dropping her back off at her plush new homeCredit: Zillow
He made sure Shakira didn’t have too far to walk as she trotted down her private dock last week sporting a fringed lilac bikini top and matching shorts.
Rumours of a romance between the two stars have been rife in recent weeks after they were spotted on several outings.
Lewis seems to now be laying his flirting on thick by personally picking the mum-of-two up when they get together, according to French outlet Gentsu.
He was seen quickly climbing out of the open-top cruiser to lend Shakira a hand as she joined the group for a day on the water.
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The Mercedes driver, 38, rushed to greet Shakira as she boarded the vessel which had an inflatable crocodile strapped to the top.
He donned a white cap, sunglasses, a black sleeveless top and checkerboard shorts – showing off his distinctive tattoos – for the excursion in the sunshine.
Shakira was pictured grinning as they cruised around Biscayne Bay with pals as she climatised to the Miami heat.
Lewis later ensured she made it home safe as he dropped her back off at her plush new pad, where she counts the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin and Matt Damon as her neighbours.
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She made the move Stateside following her bitter and public split from ex-Barcelona star Gerard Pique.
He quickly moved on with 24-year-old PR student Clara Chia Marti, while Shakira fans have been left in the dark about her love life.
The 46-year-old set the rumour mill swirling after her latest rendevous with Lewis, just days after they enjoyed a dinner together at the lavish restaurant Cipriani.
But despite being seen hanging out with most successful F1 driver of all time, The Sun Online understands the duo are just friends.
Lewis had been in town for the Miami Grand Prix over the weekend – finishing in 6th place.
Smiling at each other, Shakira appeared to join 92-time race winner Lewis and pals at his table in a short video snapped by a fan.
It comes after she was previously spotted mingling with Tom Cruise at the Miami Grand Prix earlier this month.
Shakira announced her separation from footballer Gerard Pique last May after spending 11 years together.
The Colombian singer-songwriter was reportedly “evicted” from her Barcelona home by Pique’s dad last month, sparking her move back to Miami.
The mum-of-two made no mention of the eviction order in the farewell message she posted on Instagram after being pictured leaving the Catalan capital with her two children to start a new life in Florida.
Shakira and Pique confirmed in November they had reached a child custody agreement after a marathon 12-hour meeting with their lawyers.
They signed the accord at a court in Barcelona the following month.
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As part of the agreement, Pique will spend holiday time with his children.
Shakira’s wish to move to Miami, where she used to live and where some of her family are based, is understood to have been the sticking point in the former couple’s previous failure to strike an out-of-court settlement. 
Shakira and Lewis then parted ways as she was dropped back homeCredit: RM/MEGA
The mum looked happy to see the Mercedes driver as she climbed aboardCredit: RM/MEGA
Lewis was also recently spotted dining with Shakira in the lavish Cipriani restaurantCredit: Getty Images – Getty More