Australian Grand Prix: Formula 1 season opens without feeling “any impact” of travel chaos caused by conflict in the Middle East

Australian Grand Prix organizers say they are “really confident” that travel chaos caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East will not affect the opening race of the Formula 1 season this weekend.

Nearly 1,000 employees have had to rearrange flights, and an estimated 500 of them are scheduled to be flown in from Europe on charter planes.

It comes after the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday, sparking retaliatory strikes across the region.

Formula 1 also said it was “closely monitoring the situation”, with the next races scheduled to take place in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April.

Australian Formula One World Championship boss Travis Auld said on Monday that “everyone will be here ready to race” as Melbourne prepares to host the opening ceremony of the 2026 world championship.

The travel plans of many drivers and other key staff based in Europe have been affected by the major disruption to global air transport, with major routes across Qatar and the UAE affected.

“The last 48 hours have required some flight adjustments,” Auld said.

“That’s very much Formula 1’s responsibility. They’re in charge of the teams, the drivers and all the staff that’s needed here to make this event happen. There’s quite a few of them.

“My understanding is that now everything is closed, everyone will be here ready to race and the fans will not notice any difference.”