332 replies to this topic

[Peat]

Heavy rain in the region recently causing flooding and disruption. ALOT more on the way in the coming 24hrs: https://twitter.com/...411976014573569

Track staff being evacuated due to flood risk today: https://twitter.com/...470319902846976

https://twitter.com/...467631110799360

 

River behind paddock running high and fast: https://twitter.com/...471737728843786

Edited by Peat, 16 May 2023 - 14:11.

[Dolph]

I hope its not canceled. I've been rather looking forward to the Imola races each year. Its in my top 20% of races really enjoy. Also, a nice track to drive in the sim.

[Risil]

Not cancelled yet: https://www.autospor...rning/10470027/
 

While the red alert status triggered speculation that the Emilia Romagna GP could even be cancelled, F1 sources are adamant that there is no concern about the event not going ahead. Teams and officials are travelling as planned.

Operational plans to cope with wet weather have been put in place, and race organisers are working hard to ensure that spectator facilities, including car parks, remain usable.

[JimmyClark]

I'm in Switzerland at the moment, gradually making my way towards Bologna. It's indeed wet, but Italy is getting the worst of the rain, and the epicentre of that rain for the next day or so is Emilia Romagna. So it's not ideal. 

 

I didn't bring any wellies - even if the event goes ahead it's going to be Silverstone 2000 levels of mud, isn't it? 

 

However, given the weather this weekend looks a lot more manageable and floods can subside quickly, I doubt the race will be cancelled unless:

a) There is significant damage to circuit infrastructure

b) There is a huge-scale emergency and loss of life which would deem running the race inappropriate, or resources would have to be diverted from the race. 

 

I really hope for everybody's sake B) doesn't happen - the region was already hit very badly a couple of weeks ago. F1 is insignificant compared to people losing property, life, etc. 

Edited by JimmyClark, 16 May 2023 - 14:30.

[TomNokoe]

It's a Noah's Ark grid today, Crofty...

[P123]

FOM will string it along for as long is needed in order to get their money.  This is slightly more water than the light showers that F1 tends to be allergic to these days!

[LolaB0860]

Let's hope for the best for the region as well

[ARTGP]

Would it be appropriate to use this as a buildup thread? 

Edited by ARTGP, 16 May 2023 - 14:59.

[RainyAfterlifeDaylight]

[Broekschaap]

Perfect weather for trying out those new wets that never get cold!

[jonpollak]

I see you've linked to my friend Bea's twitter.

 

She's a great source of info as she is local and on the ground in the build up to the race.

 

Jp

[Ruusperi]

As long as the asphalt isn't damaged, there should be no reason they can't race. If some spectator areas have become too muddy, they can be closed. The pit area can be dried with vacuum engines overnight.

 

Heavy rain should stop by tomorrow evening. Thursday in sunny. Sunday forecast shows sunshine as well.

[JimmyClark]

Some good info here from a former F1 forecaster: 

 

https://twitter.com/...467807749894147

 

The Santerno river runs next to the Pit Lane of the

@autodromoimola

and

@ArpaER

has a sensor right at the entrance of the Autodromo. The river has already reached the 2nd alert level (orange, max. is 3) and this flood already looks much worse compared to the one from 2 weeks ago. The problem is what is coming next. Models agree on 50-100 mm during the next 24h in the #Imola region, but with peaks > 100 mm in the Apennines, where the Santerno river comes from. A flood exceeding level 3 is in sight, with lower areas of the @autodromoimola at risk as well.

 

Even if the weather around Imola improves, the weather up in the mountains where the river is sourced is also critical.

[NickeyF1]

Weather forecast for the weekend is still unclear. Some forecasts suggests heavier rain as well for Saturday and Sunday (not flooding level though). Is there a problem if grass/gravel runoff gets too soft/wet in terms of safety?

[Risil]

Yes. But that'll be about drainage ultimately?

[JeePee]

In typical F1 fashion, I predict this Grand Prix will be absolutely bone dry.

[Muppetmad]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for the region, which is all that really matters.

[SparkPlug86]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for the region, which is all that really matters.

 

Indeed.

 

Expecting the race to be cancelled to be honest. 

[Spillage]

Weather forecast looks dreadful so it may be a washout even without a formal cancellation. I hope everyone is OK in the flooding, that's the most important thing.

[thegamer23]

Well..i live 30 km from the track.

And...it's looking bad.
Multiple roads are already flooded, and the rivers are out of control: people are getting evacuated.

 

 

Think this region will have way bigger worries than a Grand Prix in the next few days.

Hope to be proven wrong.

Edited by thegamer23, 16 May 2023 - 15:49.

[Risil]

Stay safe Gamer

[Disgrace]

The one chance to use the monsoon tyres they haul around the world every year for no reason whatsoever!

[vlado]

https://twitter.com/...zg-bv2n8am2mMAg

[mmmcurry]

So pootle behind the safety car for a couple of laps then red flag it and claim it's a race.

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

After Spa, that situation would mean 0 points awarded.

[Burai]

I'm less worried about the track than the infrastructure surrounding it. The track can be bone dry, but if you don't have roads, emergency services, hotels, etc, you don't really have a race.

 

Plus, we really don't want F1 carrying on regardless whilst there's carnage outside. That missile attack in Jeddah was one cloth-eared race too many.

[JHSingo]

The F1 thing to do is still turn up, pretend the event is going ahead as normal (when everyone with any sense can see it's totally impossible) - and then spend all three days delaying and ultimately cancelling any on track action. 

 

But, given it was very likely to be another Red Bull 1-2, and a track was overtaking was hard even last year (even before the racing became worse this year), would it really be that much of a huge loss if it is cancelled?

 

Goes without saying that I hope everyone over there is keeping safe, obviously. 

[Viryfan]

Looking at figures rain is going to be astonishing today and early tomorrow but then the figures should get back in control.

It will be cancelled if all structures around are damaged.

Spa circuit did carry its activities despite the big rain in july 2021.

Obviously fingers crossed for the region.

Edited by Viryfan, 16 May 2023 - 16:23.

[JimmyClark]

As someone attending the race I'd rather they just call it off tomorrow or Thursday if need be. Doing a Spa and stringing it out to not face liabilities is just cruel to fans really.

I'm perfectly happy spending a few days in Bologna eating food and seeing the many sights. If I spend three days at the track getting muddy and soaked and seeing no track action, I'll be royally peed off...

Edited by JimmyClark, 16 May 2023 - 16:23.

[H0R]

Why cancel? Start the race, run three laps behind the safety car, red flag, wait three hours, award points according to running position (which has been determined according to championship standings) - done. 

[PayasYouRace]

First thoughts are with the locals and their own safety.

 

Once that's assured, then I'd be happy to try getting the race done. If not, there must be a gap later in the season it could be postponed to. Though this overworked calendar makes it harder to slot a postponed race into it.

[ARTGP]

First thoughts are with the locals and their own safety.

 

Once that's assured, then I'd be happy to try getting the race done. If not, there must be a gap later in the season it could be postponed to. Though this overworked calendar makes it harder to slot a postponed race into it.

 

 If we hadn't canceled the season for a month in April, the back half of the calendar might not be so congested. Ah but here we are. The geniuses at FOM 

Edited by ARTGP, 16 May 2023 - 16:33.

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

Why cancel? Start the race, run three laps behind the safety car, red flag, wait three hours, award points according to running position (which has been determined according to championship standings) - done.

No points are awarded unless a minimum of 2 laps without VSC/SC/Red flag take place

[917k]

In typical F1 fashion, I predict this Grand Prix will be absolutely bone dry.

Beat me to it.

[ANF]

Still driveable by the looks of it.

[Pete_f1]

Watching the Giro Italia (bicycle race) the weather has been awful this past week.

[Nathan]

FOM will string it along for as long is needed in order to get their money.  

 

 

Jeeeepers, one minute they are screwing fans cancelling races over rain, next they are pit vipers for keeping it going.

[FirstnameLastname]

In typical F1 fashion, I predict this Grand Prix will be absolutely bone dry.

Red flagged for being too hot

[Risil]

Jeeeepers, one minute they are screwing fans cancelling races over rain, next they are pit vipers for keeping it going.

Which Grand Prix was cancelled because of rain?

[JimmyClark]

Which Grand Prix was cancelled because of rain?

Spa 2021.

No matter the technicalities, that was a cancelled race.

[Beri]

Yes. But that'll be about drainage ultimately?

 

Since I have worked in water management for some years, my retorical question is; we are talking about Italy, right?

 

I cant say that I have ever seen robust watermanagement infrastructures in place in Italy to prevent floodings like these. Not in any river delta that I have ever been to in Italy. I cant say for sure that the Santerno river delta does or does not have such infrastructures. But I could lively imagine this not being the case. Which could mean that the worst effect of any heavy rainfall up in the hills or mountains will be felt in days and will likely not receed in a day or two should there be actual floodings.

By the looks of it, I would say this Grand Prix is on the verge of being cancelled if the next 24hrs do not bring any relief.

[JimmyClark]

https://www.arpae.it...stazione?s=3143

 

It looks like the Imola measurement station (it's right next to the circuit) hit "Level 3" flood alert at 6pm, which is even higher than during the catastropic floods a couple of weeks ago (if you look at the graph). 

 

And there's still another 15hrs+ of rain yet at Imola, not to mention further up the river. 

 

From what I understand, Level 3 means the banks have burst / it is now a flood emergency, but happy for a local to correct me, as I'm just going off Twitter for that kind of info. 

[masa90]

Hope all stay safe there.

[Deeq]

No points are awarded unless a minimum of 2 laps without VSC/SC/Red flag take place

SPA 2021..

[Clatter]

SPA 2021..

 

After which the rules were changed.

[Ruudbackus]

Even if the rain eases thursday/friday I can't imagine theres no damage to the infrastructure and predictions arethere will eb ligther showers for the days to come, so it won't really dry up. Focus should be on the people in the region not on the gp. Hoping for the impossible I wish the FIA/Fom made the call early so that people know what to expect, especially the ones with tickets for the event.

[Alfisti]

This is really not good, besides the obvious concerns for local residents I don't see how they can run a race if roads are closed and hospitals are unreachable. 

[Deeq]

After which the rules were changed.

Indeed,thanks for the info.. good on FiA that (Spa2021) was very bad.

[John B]

Not to mention bringing in large crowds to the area doesn't seem advisable...

 

Move it to the second month long break in August.

Edited by John B, 16 May 2023 - 18:55.

[milestone 11]

Still driveable by the looks of it.
https://www.youtube....h?v=rThaiKfHkKY

Newey has just signed off on a sponson design, they'll be ok.