Why moving the Emilia Romagna GP to later in the year is nearly impossible

For the second time, a scheduled Grand Prix is cancelled this season (previously, the race in China was cancelled). As a result, it seems that this means the 2023 F1 calendar will consist of 22 Grands Prix, as a new date for Imola seems impossible to find.

When the president of the Italian motorsport federation hinted that there was an extremely low chance of the race being made up this season, it seemed innevitable. Angelo Sticchi Damiani said it was 99 per cent certain that an extra year would be added to the current contract, meaning the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix would also be on the calendar in 2026.

Crowded programme

No doubt, Formula 1 organisers will still check in the coming days whether it is really not possible to still make up the cancelled Grand Prix. However, there are not many options on the calendar. The programme is already overcrowded; the race in Imola was part of a triple header for a reason. There might be room to move Imola after the Belgian Grand Prix, which would actually mark the summer break.

In that case, the holidays for the teams would be shortened. Chances are that the team staff - already away from home so often - would not be eager for an extra weekend of racing. Moreover, Formula One would contradict itself quite a bit: after all, Formula One Management thinks it is precisely so important for employees in the sport to really take a break from the sport completely. Then there is the option of continuing to Imola the week after the Italian Grand Prix, but it would be strange to finish two races within a 100-kilometre radius within eight days.

Of course, the question now is whether tickets bought for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix will be refunded to fans. An email has already gone out to ticket holders, stating that more clarity on this will be forthcoming soon. It is reported that, in principle, the intention is to compensate everyone.