Escalation in the Middle East
Formula 1 start: 1000 employees have to rebook flights
03/02/2026 – 11:14 amReading time: 2 minutes
In Australia, Formula 1 traditionally starts the new season. However, the escalation in the Middle East has logistical implications for the racing circuit. You still appear relaxed.
The escalation in the Middle East poses challenges for Formula 1 before the start of the season in Australia. The organizers of the opening race on Sunday (5 a.m./Sky) do not expect any impact on the Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Due to the American-Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran’s counterattacks, air traffic has largely come to a standstill in large parts of the Middle East. That’s why hundreds of employees who work for Formula 1 itself or the racing teams had to change their travel plans.
“Formula 1 as an organization is very good at moving people around the world. That’s their job. And that’s how they were able to do it, so we don’t expect any impact on our race,” said Australian Grand Prix managing director Travis Auld. He put the number of those affected at around 1,000 people. All of your flights had to be rebooked.
Instead of traveling to Australia via Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha (Qatar), many people chose Singapore or Hong Kong. Auld assured: “The drivers will be here. The engineers will be here. The team bosses will be here. They are the ones who have been given priority.” In addition, the cars in containers have long been on the route.
The USA and Israel have been attacking targets in Iran since Saturday. Tehran responds with counterattacks on Israel and US military bases in the region. “There are always things you have to deal with, including changing plans and reacting flexibly. That’s exactly what the team is used to,” Auld said of the Melbourne event.
There are currently question marks surrounding the fourth race of the season scheduled for April 12th in Bahrain, where Formula 1 tire tests were only canceled at the weekend, and a week later in Saudi Arabia. “As always, we monitor such situations closely and work closely with the relevant authorities,” the media quoted a Formula 1 spokesman as saying.
The premier motorsport class will race in Shanghai on March 15th, with the Japanese Grand Prix scheduled two weeks later. The last two races of the season will take place again in the Middle East. Qatar on November 29th and traditionally Abu Dhabi on December 6th are supposed to end the Formula 1 year.
