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F1 matches Ferrari’s $1 million donation to flood relief
Formula 1 has announced it will make an immediate €1 million ($1.08m) donation to the flood relief effort in Italy after the environmental disaster that led to the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix being called off.
Torrential rain and severe thunderstorms led to flooding and landslides in Emilia-Romagna this week, following further floods earlier this month. With a number of people having died and thousands having to evacuate their homes at times this week, the race in Imola was called off on Wednesday in order to allow emergency services to focus on support and the clean-up operation.
After Ferrari announced it will make a seven-figure donation to the Emilia-Romagna Region's Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection, F1 has matched that sum.
“I was born and grew up in the marvelous lands of Emilia Romagna, a place that is living through some of the saddest moments in its history,” F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said. “The situation facing the communities in the region is terrible, but I know that the resilience and passion of the people in the region, like so many across Italy, will prevail through this crisis.
“We must do everything we can to support them at this difficult time and that is why we are donating to help support the relief efforts on the ground. My thoughts, on behalf of the entire Formula 1 community, are with everyone affected and we want to thank the emergency services for their incredible work.”
As well as the financial contribution, F1 has confirmed that all food and water from Paddock Club, as well as team, circuit and F1 hospitality, has been donated to a group organizing food banks and distribution for those who have been affected by the floods.
Limited team and F1 personnel remain in the region to continue trying to pack-down the Imola paddock ahead of the move to Monaco next week.
https://twitter.com/F1/status/1659537913481252864
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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