Emilia Romagna Grand Prix organizers announced that all ticket holders for this weekend’s cancelled event will be given a full refund.
The sixth round of the 2023 Formula 1 season, held at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, in Imola, was cancelled after torrential rain ravaged the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna, causing devastating floods, with people losing their lives and an estimated €1-Billion of damage caused.
The organizers of the race were quick to ensure all those of bought tickets that they will be getting their money back.
“All buyers who have purchased tickets through the sales network and the ticketone.it purchasing platform [have] the opportunity to convert the tickets purchased with tickets for the 2024 event or alternatively an economic reimbursement,” they announced on Imola’s website.
“Given the ongoing emergency in the region, the methods and timing of the refund will be announced with a subsequent communication that will be sent by e-mail in the next few days by ACI Sport, a company of the Automobile Club of Italy,” the statement added.
Ticket One is the official ticketing platform of the Italian federation.
Cancelling the race is considered Force Majeure
The 2021 Belgian Grand Prix was held for two laps behind the Safety Car under heavy rain, and the ticket holders did not receive any money because the race “technically” happened, the organizers paying the FOM the fees for holding the race.
However, that does not apply to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, where the organizer will not have to dish out the estimated $20-Million FOM fee as Force Majeure applies in this situation, which makes it easier for the refund to be done.
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola is set to remain on the F1 calendar up to the 2025 season, based on the three-year-deal signed between F1 and Promotor ACI.
According to ACI President, Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the contract will now be shifted one year ahead, as a replacement of the 2023 version happening in 2026.
“It is 99% [certain the race] will be recovered in 2026 following the contract extension,” Sticchi Damiani revealed, speaking to LaPresse.