Formula 1 must act as Imola after-effects, French riots threaten to spill over to Monaco GP

The Emilia-Romagna region in Italy, where the 2023 Formula 1 Imola Grand Prix would have occurred last Sunday, is still reeling from the floods that caused havoc throughout May.

The intensity of the natural disaster that struck in the build-up to the race last week forced organisers to cancel the event, but the damning effects are expected to be felt 500km away in Monaco this coming weekend (26-28 May)

The race around Imola was supposed to ring in the first triple-header of the season as, in three consecutive weekends, the sport would visit Italy, Monaco, and Spain.

Now, as we take stock of the aftermath, we discuss why the upcoming race in the Principality could be at risk of cancellation. As it stands, the race will continue.

Cancellation 1: Equipment and logistics

F1 and its feeder series, Formula 2 and Formula 3, arrived at the Imola track about a week before the action was to get under way. But almost as soon as some teams were done getting their preliminary structures in place, the rain came down again. And with it, came the floods.

In the ensuing days, the banks of the Santerno River running next to the circuit burst, leading to the circuit being flooded. It caused major damage, but it wouldn't end there. Teams and personnel were asked to vacate the area as water levels rose.

READ: GALLERY | The horrific Italian floods that led to F1 cancelling Imola Grand Prix

With the Monaco GP just days away, teams would have been packing up on Sunday night after the Imola race to begin the 500km trek to Monaco early on Monday morning, reaching the destination by the evening. It would have given teams enough time to set up as the race weekend looms.

According to Marco Codello, F2's director of operations, logistics could put the