F1 | IMOLA, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “FORMULA IMOLA’S TEAM WAS IMPECCABLE”

As we know, due to the continuation of the weather emergency and the flood that hit the Emilia-Romagna region the “Qatar Airways: Made in Italy and Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix” scheduled for May 19-21 was cancelled.

“Albeit with a heavy heart, it was an absolutely correct decision in full respect to the tragedy which struck all the population of the Emilia-Romagna region with repercussions also on the Marche region,” was the analysis of Gian Carlo Minardi when we contacted him by telephone while he was at Imola’s Circuit waiting for the meeting to verify the damages suffered.

“Excellent work had been done over the last seven months and the Formula Imola team, to which I extend public congratulations, was impeccable. Even the evacuation plan drawn up in the previous months worked perfectly despite an apocalyptic scenario that was not conceivable..

“On Thursday morning the paddock had already been cleaned and secured. Unfortunately, the situation surrounding the Circuit was, and still is, disastrous, completely under water and mud. All the security forces-doctors, paramedics, firemen and carabinieri- are involved 100% in rescuing people and it was unthinkable to take this human capital away to dedicate them to the Grand Prix.

“Today (Friday 19 May) we will start to count the damages that the Circuit suffered, even if they should luckily be very limited. As we have already announced yesterday, the mechanism for the refund of the tickets bought has already been activated via the TicketOne platform. As an alternative, people can convert tickets with tickets for the 2024 event,” continued the President of Formula Imola.

Given the current emergency in the region, the methods and times of refund will be announced with a subsequent notification which will be sent via email in the next few days by ACI Sport, a branch of the Automobile Club d’Italia, through the provider of the official ticket seller, TicketONe.it. Even Trenitalia through its portal has advised that it will be possible to request refund of the full ticket.

“Now we only have to roll up our sleeves and rebuild to start e programme for the future,” concluded Gian Carlo Minardi.