Ferrari boss Vasseur: “Our hearts are all bleeding”

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These are images that the GP circus has never seen before. Everything is flooded, the parking lots are flooded, cars slide through the area. Everything that can be saved must be saved. Also the hybrid cars, the batteries of which could even have burned in water.

From the place of terror to Monaco

Monte Carlo – the most difficult race of the season in terms of logistics and traffic – must be rebuilt by Tuesday at the latest! Now everyone hopes to leave the valley of the mudslides in time.

The government asked Formula 1 to clear the tents on Monday evening because more rain threatened and some rivers overflowed their banks in the Emilia Romagna region. The Santerno, which runs parallel to the circuit, was powerless against the rain masses.

Marshals as helpers

The sport no longer had a place in Imola. The security forces and marshals also had a more important job than waving flags in emergency rescue of flood victims.

There were deaths – and people are still missing. A tragedy in the home of two Formula 1 teams: Faenza, already dying two weeks after the last floods, is home to the Alpha Tauri factory and is only 15 km from Imola. Ferrari has its headquarters 40 miles from Maranello.

Alpha Tauri: donation account opened

But all teams and drivers are in dismay. Everyone spoke. Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1, who grew up in Imola: “We are now looking at how we can help.”

Alpha Tauri opened a donation account. Alfa-Sauber expressed its support: “Formula 1 is more than just a community. She’s a big family. Let’s all help our friends at Alpha Tauri!”

At Ferrari, the tense sporting side has faded into the background, at least up to Monte Carlo. Chef Vasseur: «Emilia Romagna is our homeland and our thoughts are with those affected. Our hearts are bleeding!” The Reds also offer help.

First cancellation due to natural disaster

Imola 2023 was the first cancellation due to a natural disaster in 1085 races since the invention of Formula 1 in 1950. Of course there have been hours of rain battles in Montreal and Spa. Belgium once had to postpone the race due to a cracked asphalt. In Japan, typhoons have already disrupted the program of the event three times. Bahrain 2011 was canceled for political reasons.

Source : Blick