Ferrari delays departure to Australia as Melbourne GP remains confirmed
The conflict that erupted in the Middle East with the joint operation launched by Israel and the United States against Iran has left the world on edge and triggered widespread disruption. Airspace over the entire region has been closed, impacting the logistics of Formula 1 teams that were preparing to travel for the first Grand Prix of the season, scheduled for next Sunday in Melbourne. No changes to the race calendar are planned despite the bombings, but canceled flights are causing significant disruptions and uncertainty for hundreds of drivers and personnel trying to reach Australia.
Airports in Doha and Dubai have been closed, forcing many flights to be rerouted through Hong Kong and Singapore, where operations continue as usual. Those most affected are participants from the lower categories and support staff, who have been stranded for hours at various layovers without clear information on how or when they will continue their journey to Melbourne, where, at least for now, the GP remains confirmed.
F1 teams stranded after the attack on Iran
The conflict has led to the closure of airspace and multiple airports, including those in Iran and neighboring countries. Stopovers in Qatar, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi are not possible, leaving numerous Formula 1 personnel stranded after setting out for Melbourne. The season kicks off in Australia next Sunday, and flights originally scheduled for today for F2 and F3 personnel are currently blocked as they await instructions on how to continue their journey. While the race itself remains confirmed, the logistical challenges for the entire F1 paddock are substantial.
Among yesterday’s departures was the first group of the Ferrari team, which has rescheduled its flight for tomorrow, also exploring a possible charter in case the situation remains problematic. Several top teams have faced the same issues with closed stopover airports, but the most severe consequences are for the feeder series teams, who were already en route and are now stuck due to the conflict.
Formula 1 has confirmed that the Melbourne Grand Prix will go ahead as planned, along with the upcoming Bahrain and Saudi Arabia rounds scheduled for mid-April, while emergency contingency plans are being prepared in case the conflict in the region extends further.
While the Australian Grand Prix remains officially on the calendar, the Middle East crisis has therefore forced teams like Ferrari to rethink their travel logistics and delay departures. As the paddock navigates closed airspaces and rerouted flights, the focus remains on ensuring all personnel and equipment reach Melbourne in time for the 2026 season opener, despite the growing geopolitical instability in the Gulf region.
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