Max Verstappen and his rivals have the weekend off (Picture: ANP via Getty Images)
Formula One fans looking forward to settling down this weekend to watch the latest round of the season will be left disappointed.
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which was due to take place at the iconic Imola circuit on Sunday, will now not take place.
This means that Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez’s title battle is temporarily on hold, with the Dutchman currently 14 points ahead of his Red Bull teammate after the first five events.
But why exactly is there no F1 race taking place this weekend – and when will the next Grand Prix take place?
Why isn’t there an F1 race on this weekend?
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was cancelled on Wednesday amid heavy flooding in northern Italy.
Heavy rainfall has hit the region (Picture: STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)
The decision was taken after talks between F1, the FIA, local officials and race organisers with Italy’s most severe red weather warning in force for flooding and landslides.
A statement from F1 read: ‘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.
‘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.’
A number of people have been killed in the flooding in the Emilia Romagna region, which has caused thousands of people to be evacuated from their homes.
F1 personnel setting up for the race on Tuesday had been instructed to leave the paddock at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on Tuesday.
Only a fence separates the Imola circuit with the River Santerno, which has been dangerously close to bursting its banks.
The cancellation of this weekend’s Grand Prix means that the original 24-race calendar could be reduced to just 22 if Imola is not rescheduled, after the Chinese Grand Prix pencilled in for April was called off due to the country’s Covid-19 regulations.
When is the next F1 race?
The next F1 race will be the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday, May 28.
The iconic race around the streets of the principality will start at 2pm BST.
The F1 calendar will resume the following weekend with the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, June 4.
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The right decision to call off Sunday’s Grand Prix.
