Heavy rain is forecast for the Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit, exceeding even last year’s conditions. During the three days of the event, frequent showers are expected, with a 70% chance of rain in the free sessions on Friday and an 85% chance in the third free practice and qualifying on Saturday.
This week has been marked by a red alert due to heavy rains in the region near the circuit, which has generated concerns about possible flooding and landslides, which could complicate the first two days of the event.
Even the circuit staff has had to be evacuated due to the rise of the river that passes near the paddock, which has led to the crossing of two access bridges to the facilities.
A meeting has been held between the National Crisis Unit and local politicians to discuss the situation in the region. Citizens have been advised to avoid commuting as much as possible and to resort to telecommuting. Although nothing has been decided yet, there is a possibility of the event being canceled.
Despite the adverse weather conditions, it is expected that on Sunday afternoon the rain will subside and the track will gradually start to dry out, which would allow the race to go ahead.
Pirelli, the tire supplier, will introduce a new extreme rain compound at this Grand Prix, which is expected to perform better in wet conditions and not require the use of warming blankets.
As for the teams, the wet sessions may affect the testing of the new improvement elements. Aston Martin, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull are expected to be the most affected and may have some advantage in these slippery conditions.
However, rain adds an element of unpredictability, and the performance of the teams cannot be guaranteed. Ferrari has shown good data in certain conditions but has struggled in others. Adaptability to changing weather conditions will be a key factor in the teams’ performance over the weekend.