Emilia Romagna Grand Prix to take place without spectators

(Reuters) - This weekend's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix at Imola will be held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organisers said on Wednesday.

Promoters had previously been given permission for more than 13,000 spectators a day but issued a statement on the circuit website http://www.autodromoimola.it.

"The government has banned our fans and we are very disappointed for that," motorsport.com quoted Imola boss Uberto Selvatico Estense as saying.

Italy announced new measures on Sunday to try to halt a rapid resurgence in the coronavirus.

The race weekend, without Friday practice and condensed into two days from the usual three, will be the third race in Italy this season and 13th round of the championship.

Mercedes can secure a seventh successive constructors' title on Sunday.

Imola last hosted a Formula One race in 2006, when it was designated the San Marino Grand Prix, but has been restored to a patched-up calendar after other races were cancelled due to the new coronavirus.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Christian Radnedge)