Change of timetable for practice and qualifying at Imola
Formula 1, by mutual agreement with the FIA, has decided to postpone testing and qualifying at Imola in respect of Prince Philip's funeral.
Due to the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Formula 1 has adjusted its schedule for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend to not interfere with the funeral ceremony of the member of the British royal family.
Main change: the qualifications initially scheduled for 3pm will take place at 2pm. Free Practice 3 is also postponed from 11am to 12pm in order to comply with the regulation requiring a two-hour gap between the end of practice and the start of qualifications.
No change for the start of the race.
Friday’s schedule is also adapted due to F1’s internal regulations. As a result, FP1 will take place from 11am to 12pm and FP2 from 2:30pm to 3:30pm. The start of the Imola Grand Prix remains unchanged and will indeed take place at 3pm.
As a reminder, Imola returned to the F1 calendar last year due to the Covid-19 crisis, whereas its last appearance on the calendar dates back to 2006.
The Italian circuit was part of the “unusual” destinations of the 2020 calendar, along with Mugello, Portimão, the Nürburgring, Istanbul Park, and the Outer Track of the Bahrain circuit, much to the delight of fans.
Last year, it was Lewis Hamilton who had won on this circuit. The British driver had finished ahead of his teammate Valtteri Bottas and the Renault of Daniel Ricciardo at the end of the Grand Prix.
