Imola’s F1 return to take place behind closed doors after late U-Turn
The Italian government has made🎶 a late decision to ban 🅰spectators from attending this weekend’s Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Fans had initi𓃲ally been granted permission to attend F1’s first race to be held at Imola since the 2006 San Marino Grand Prix, with the circuit given the green light to sell 13,000 tickets.
But a spike in new coronavirus cases across Western Europe, including Italy, has forced a U-Turn from Italian authorities to ensure the race is held behind closeﷺd ܫdoors.
On Sunday Italy’s government announced further restrictions, including the closure on restaurants and bars at 18:00 an🉐d a ban on 𓂃spectators at open-air sporting events.
A late pushback from circuit officials to only allow 6,500 fans per day did not rꦑeceive the approval required and on Wednesday it was announced that the race would go ahead without spectators.
A limited numbe𒆙r of fans have been attending recent races at Sochi, Germany and 🐼Portugal as F1 continues its gradual bid to return spectators to events.
Like Imola, Turkish Grand Prix bosses have also had to abandon plans to allow spectators๊ in to next month’s🉐 race, while fans will also not be permitted at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Bahrain Grand Prix organisers are continuing to monitor t🅠he situation before making a final call on wh𒊎ether it can host fans.
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will be held over a compressed two-day schedule comprising of a single 90-minute practice session and qualifying on Satur𓆉day, before the race takes place at 12:10 GMT (13:10 local) on Sunday.
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for mahbx.com around the world. Often reporting on the action fr♎om the♉ ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
