The most recent cancelled Formula 1 events after Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix washed out this weekend

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This weekend’s Formula 1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix weekend has been cancelled due to extreme flooding in the region.

A statement was released on the official F1 website to confirm that the sixth race of the season would no longer be taking place.

Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “It is such a tragedy to see what has happened to Imola and Emilia-Romagna, the town and region that I grew up in, and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flooding and the families and communities affected.

“I want to express my gratitude and admiration for the incredible emergency services who are working tirelessly to help those who need help and alleviate the situation – they are heroes and the whole of Italy is proud of them.

“The decision that has been taken is the right one for everyone in the local communities and the F1 family as we need to ensure safety and not create extra burden for the authorities while they deal with this very awful situation.”

While this is a disappointment for Formula 1 fans, it is the right decision considering the circumstances.

The last thing the region needs right now is an influx of thousands of racing fans in such treacherous conditions.

The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix isn’t the only Formula 1 race to be cancelled in recent times.

It’s happened much more than you think in recent times.

2023 Chinese Grand Prix

For the fourth year in a row, the Chinese Grand Prix has not taken place.

This is because of the ‘ongoing difficulties presented by the COVID-19 situation’.

There were discussions over replacing it on this year’s calendar but a new track was never selected.

The last time F1 raced in Shanghai was in 2019, Lewis Hamilton won the race ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas.

2022 Russian Grand Prix

Russia joined the Formula 1 calendar in 2014 after a track was built around the Winter Olympics venue in Sochi.

The event in 2022 was suspended and then cancelled after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A decision was then made to terminate all agreements put in place for any future races.

A contract had already been signed to move to a new venue this year just outside Saint Petersburg.

2020 & 2021 COVID-affected races

As with so many sporting events, COVID caused huge disruption in Formula 1.

The 2020 season saw thirteen events cancelled, with a new calendar introduced to race as often as possible where safe to do so.

Organisers managed to put on 17 races across Europe and the Middle East.

Five further races in China, Canada, Singapore, Japan and Australia were cancelled in 2021 although the calendar was virtually back to normal by the following year.

2019 Japanese Grand Prix

Although the race wasn’t cancelled, this was the last time Formula 1 had to deal with extreme weather events like at Emilia-Romagna.

Suzuka International Racing Course was close enough to Typhoon Hagibis for the race weekend to be severely affected.

All events planned for Saturday were cancelled, including qualifying.

The session was moved to Sunday morning before the race went ahead as planned, with Valtteri Bottas taking the chequered flag.

2015 Indian Grand Prix

The last time Formula 1 raced in India was in 2013, just two years after its introduction to the race calendar.

Sebastian Vettel won all three events at the Buddh International Circuit before the 2014 event was cancelled.

Formula 1 was supposed to return in 2015, however, an unresolved tax case prevented the race from taking place.

Formula 1 will hope that the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix is the final cancelled event of the 2023 season.

It means Max Verstappen’s lead at the top of the Driver’s Championship is preserved for another week.

Ferrari fans will also have to wait another week to see the planned updates on the car as they head to Barcelona.