Following the cancellation of the race at Imola this weekend, Formula 1 is donating €1 million (£868,000) to the relief efforts in Emilia Romagna. Due to the unfavourable weather and flooding that have hit the area in recent weeks, F1 was forced to cancel round six of the 2023 season. F1 has already declared a payment to the Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection of the Emilia-Romagna Region, despite losing out on the hosting fee of about £20 million as a result of the Emilia Romagna GP's cancellation.
Flooding in the area has resulted in at least 13 fatalities, thousands of home evacuations, and ongoing rescue operations in towns and villages cut off from roads, electricity, and cell phone coverage. More than 13,000 people had to abandon their houses due to forcible evacuation.
“I was born and grew up in the marvellous lands of Emilia-Romagna, a place that is living through some of the saddest moments in its history,” said Stefano Domenicalli who is the CEO and President of Formula 1 in an Instagram post. “We must do everything we can to support them at this difficult time and that is why we are donating to help support the relief efforts on the ground”, added Domenicalli further.
An organisation providing food banks for individuals in the nearby areas hit by the floods has also received donations of food and water from the Paddock Club, the track, the team, and the F1 hospitality departments. This excellent collaborative effort by the teams, promoters, and caterers Do&Co demonstrates how F1 has been a positive force in the face of difficulty.
