Formula 1 Donates €1 Million to Support Emilia Romagna Flood Relief

• The Imola circuit would have hosted the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix before the race was cancelled
• The Formula 1 community donated €1 million to the relief effort, organised in response to the flooding
• At least 13 people have died as a result of the flooding, with thousands so far evacuated from their homes

Formula 1 today said it will donate €1 million to support communities affected by flooding in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.

The death toll following the floods has now reached 13 people, while an estimated 20,000 have been left homeless. The floods hit north-eastern Italy on Tuesday and Wednesday, exacerbated by drought in the region since 2022.

According to reports from SkySports, a total of 23 rivers – including the Santerno that runs within metres of the Imola paddock – burst their banks following heavy rain in the region at the start of this week. This includes areas high in the mountains to the south-west that feed the river, which sent excess water surging.

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The Imola event was cancelled in response to the situation, with a limited number of F1 personnel – many of whom had already been on-site setting up the paddock and infrastructure around the track – allowed to return to dismantle the structures that had been installed and begin the move to Monaco ahead of the next race in a weeks’ time.

As well as its financial donation, it is understood that F1, plus the 10 teams and the Imola circuit organisation, have all donated the food they had brought in to serve at the event to food banks that have been established for those impacted by the flooding.

“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 F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, an Imola local.

“The situation facing the communities in the region is terrible, but I know that the resilience and passion of the people in the region, like so many across Italy, will prevail through this crisis.

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“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.

“My thoughts, on behalf of the entire Formula 1 community, are with everyone affected and we want to thank the emergency services for their incredible work.”

Ferrari donates to flood relief

On Thursday, Ferrari, based just 55 miles from Imola to the northwest of Emilia-Romagna, also donated €1 million to the Emilia-Romagna Region's Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection, as reported by SkySports.

"In times of difficulty, Ferrari has always stood by its community," said Ferrari CEO, Benedetto Vigna.

"With the coordination of the local authorities, to whom our heartfelt thanks go for their tireless work, this aid will bring comfort and a tangible sign of the solidarity of the entire Ferrari family."

Ferrari explained that their donation will be used "with a particular focus on projects for environmental recovery and the management of hydrogeological instability".

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Formula 1 returning to Africa?

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that F1 would welcome a new addition to the calendar.

A return to the South African Grand Prix appears on the cards, and seven-time champion, Lewis Hamilton commented on how exciting this was. and added that they really want to come to Africa.

“The one I really, really want to see is South Africa. That’s the one I want to hear next that gets announced. We’re pretty much on every other continent, so why not (there)?”

It remains to be seen how soon Formula 1 will return to the continent of Africa.