Formula 1’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix is set to run as scheduled in Melbourne this weekend, even as the escalating conflict in the Middle East forced teams and staff to urgently overhaul their travel plans. With airports across the region shutting down after US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Iranian retaliation, hundreds of F1 personnel were left scrambling to reroute flights away from the Gulf.
Most of the 11 teams are due to land in Melbourne early this week ahead of Friday’s first practice session at Albert Park. An estimated 500 F1 workers are now being flown in on three chartered aircraft from Europe after commercial routes through the Middle East became unusable. As many as 2,000 staff members reportedly had to reorganise their travel to avoid the conflict zone.
Australian Grand Prix boss Travis Auld said the past two days required “a reshuffling of flights,” but stressed that the situation is under control. Formula 1 management, he said, had taken responsibility for securing alternative routes for teams, drivers and essential crew. “Everyone will be here ready for the race, and for fans, they won’t notice any difference,” he said. Some drivers and team members were already in Australia, while others across Europe were still navigating revised travel paths.
The conflict has caused more serious delays elsewhere. Members of the McLaren and Mercedes teams, along with staff from tyre supplier Pirelli, were left stranded in Bahrain after a two‑day tyre test at the Sakhir circuit was cancelled. Around 50 staff from each team are still working on an exit plan to return home.
Despite the upheaval, Melbourne remains on track to host the first of 24 rounds in this year’s championship. Action begins Thursday, with drivers hitting the circuit for two practice sessions on Friday. The Australian Grand Prix will take place at 3pm AEDT on Sunday, March 8.
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