Organizers have announced that spectators will not be allowed to attend the Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix at Imola, set to take place this weekend.

In a statement on Wednesday, the organizers of the race said the development was in compliance with a directive by the Prime Minister dated 24 October.

The weekend race will be the first at Imola in 14 years.

Promoters had initially been permitted to allow over 13,000 spectators to attend the race in strict adherence to the laid out COVID-91 protocols.

The ban on spectators means racing fans will miss out on a momentous event in which Mercedes could win a record-breaking seventh successive constructors’ title.

The team could wrap up the 2020 title with a top-four finish for either of its cars.

Mercedes already equaled Ferrari's streak of six consecutive titles between 1999 and 2004 last year.

Italy is the 14^th hardest-hit country globally by the COVID-19 pandemic, having registered 564,778 infections and 37,700 deaths.