LIVE: F1 calls off Emilia Romagna GP as drivers and teams react
15.35 - Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton is among several drivers who have backed the decision to call off the race. He wrote on Instagram: "Hoping everyone in Emilia Romagna is able to stay safe and look out for each other right now.
"Thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy and the amazing emergency services working on the ground.
"I know we all understand that safety comes first. I can't wait to see you all at the next race."
Lando Norris backed Hamilton's message, writing on Twitter: "I love racing, but the safety of everyone else is more important.
"Sorry to all the fans, we'll be back Imola, stay safe."
15:20 - In a statement, Farrari, whose Maranello factory is based in the region, said: "Scuderia Ferrari fully supports the decision of Formula 1 and the FIA to cancel the Imola GP.
"Even though it's our home race and therefore even more important to us, the main priority at the moment has to be the safety of all those living and working in the affected areas."
The only other Italian-based F1 team is AlphaTauri, who are located in Faenza - an area hit by floods earlier this month.
A statement said: "Scuderia AlphaTauri is very concerned about events unfolding over the past hours in Faenza and indeed in the whole Emilia-Romagna area, with flooding and heavy rain causing considerable damage.
"The team's factory is currently unaffected and everything is being done to ensure the safety of our employees and their families.
"Our sympathies go out to all those affected and we continue to monitor the situation, to see what can be done to help those in need as we await further developments."
All other teams have released statements agreeing with the decision to call off the grand prix.
Red Bull said: "Our thoughts are with those affected by the ongoing flooding in Emilia-Romagna and with the emergency teams serving in the region at this difficult time."
Alfa Romeo added: "F1 is more than a community - it is a family. Let’s all help our friends @AlphaTauriF1 as they raise funds for their home region, badly affected by the floods.
"Our thoughts are with the people of Emilia-Romagna and other affected areas."
15:12 - Authorities have said the race will no longer take place this weekend. To recap on the story, you can read our article here.
12:39 - No recovery is currently planned, although all options will be explored in the coming days.
12:27 - Cancelled! The top management of Formula 1, together with the organisers of the race, have decided to cancel the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix that was supposed to take place at the "Enzo and Dino Ferrari" racetrack in Imola.
The rain, which also fell heavily last night, has further brought the region to its knees. "We cannot proceed safely and it is not right to add further burdens to the community and emergency services in the region," stressed Formula 1.
11:34 - Two more bodies found in the province of Forlì-Cesena: this brings to five the number of victims of the dramatic wave of bad weather that has hit Emilia Romagna. The A14 motorway in the Romagna area is not accessible. River flooding has led to the evacuation of more than 5,000 people.
11:00 - Italian transport minister Matteo Salvini has called for the Imola Grand Prix to be cancelled.
Read more about that here.
10:25 - According to the BBC, Formula 1 employees were advised not to travel to the Imola circuit today. Staff preparing this weekend's race were ordered to leave the track yesterday due to the risk of flooding.
09:02 - The meeting where they will begin to discuss what are the real chances of holding the Emilia Romagna GP this weekend will soon start. For the moment, there is much caution because, although the damage has been extensive, the weather situation seems to be improving. The main problem is related to the more than 160,000 tickets that have already been sold. The main worry is precisely the movement of such a large number of people, which could end up hampering rescue operations in the areas worst hit by the flooding of the Santerno river.
08:10 - Even Formula 1 is mobilising for the flooding that is hitting Emilia Romagna: the Alfa Tauri racing team, which is based in Faenza, one of the municipalities most affected by the emergency, has launched a fundraising campaign to support the local population: 'Unfortunately, our municipality of Faenza has still suffered considerable rainfall and flooding. If anyone wishes to help those who have been affected, they can do so by following these instructions," writes the garage in the province of Ravenna on social media, advertising an account into which donations can be sent.
05:13 - Communication from the organisers:
We report below the updated information regarding the flooding at the F1 Dino and Enzo Ferrari Autodrome in Imola. Currently the staff has been evacuated due to the flooding of the Santerno river, which flows in the vicinity of the circuit. Forecasts indicate further rainfall. The continuation of the race will depend on further developments, which are unpredictable at the moment. On Tuesday 16 May, the water level of the river caused flooding in part of the paddock, leading to the interruption of the preparation work for the race. The progress of the work will be influenced by the decrease of the water level and the possibility of resuming the preparation of the race.
