Formula One Group (F1G) will themselves pick up the bill for the cancellation of Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, by not even asking the circuit for the hosting fee of up to £20million. It is the second time in recent years that a race has been cancelled at the 11th hour. And what if someone had been swept away while walking to the race by the adjacent and swollen Santerno river? Qatar Airways, who pay up to £50m as one of F1’s global partners and were due to be title sponsors of the race, will be offered further exposure during the season to compensate.

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