The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix is expected to go ahead despite a severe weather warning being issued ahead of the race due to the possibility of flooding.
The area has already been hit by weeks of floods and extreme conditions. Every day this week Italy’s civil defence service has issued weather alerts for the region of northern Italy which is home to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.
The highest possible weather warning – a red alert – has been put out for tomorrow with “floods, landslides and instability” expected to the west and north of the town of Imola where the grand prix is held.
The heavy rain has led to warnings that rivers in the area may burst their banks. The Santerno river flows nearby the Imola track and its paddock where the Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3 teams will be based.
Weather reports indicate the conditions will not worsen later in the week. F1 is committed to going ahead with its plans to race but is aware that such extreme wet weather could pose some organisational difficulties.
Last year Imola had the lowest ambient temperature and lowest track temperature of any F1 race, and it is set to be the coolest race of the 2023 season so far. The FIA’s own weather report (which will not be updated until an hour before the first practice session on Friday) anticipates the first few days in the paddock to be gusty and wet, but for conditions to be calmer by the time drivers take to the track.
Friday could be as cool as 11C but if the rain clouds move away then it could be as warm as 17C when first practice it scheduled to start at 12:30pm. There is a 40% chance of rain, however, and potentially some 20kph winds too.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Similar temperatures are expected for third practice and qualifying on Saturday. Warmer conditions are expected in the afternoon but the risk of rain during qualifying remains.
A sunny morning means the track temperature should be at its highest when it comes to the race on Sunday, and the wind will continue to ease. However that also means any rainclouds which drift in are unlikely to blow away quickly.
NB. Includes San Marino Grand Prix 2005-06
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
For more updates on the track conditions during each session keep an eye on RaceFans Live and the RaceFans Twitter account.
2023 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at RaceFans…