The ongoing situation in the Middle East is causing travel disruption for several Formula 1 teams ahead of the first race of the 2026 season in Melbourne — and Ferrari appears to be among the hardest hit.
The new F1 campaign has already been shaped by events unfolding in the region. While the FIA and Liberty Media continue to monitor developments and assess whether any calendar adjustments may become necessary, teams themselves are dealing with significant logistical challenges.
Recent events have affected major hubs such as Dubai and Doha, leading to the temporary closure of both airports. This has forced teams and paddock personnel to completely rethink their original travel plans, as flights to Australia traditionally include stopovers in either the United Arab Emirates or Qatar.
Ferrari among teams delayed after airport closures
Despite these complications, most teams already have their full race crews on site at Albert Park, ready to begin preparations for the opening round of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Ferrari, however, is reportedly still waiting for a significant number of mechanics and team members to arrive.
According to Australian photographer Kym Illman, the Maranello-based squad is one of the outfits most affected by the airport shutdowns. A considerable portion of Ferrari personnel has yet to reach Melbourne, creating additional pressure in the build-up to the race weekend.
The situation is expected to be resolved within the next few hours or, at the latest, over the coming days. Ferrari has organised alternative flights departing from Italy in order to ensure that all staff can reach Australia in time for Friday’s free practice sessions.
The SF-26 is one of the most highly anticipated cars on the 2026 grid following encouraging performances during pre-season testing. For that reason, arriving early and having sufficient preparation time is crucial. Mechanics need every possible hour to set up the car properly and fine-tune operations, minimising the risk of unexpected issues once the action begins on track at Albert Park.
Ferrari’s logistical scramble shows the immense global coordination required to put twenty cars on the grid. While the SF-26 has shown the raw pace needed to challenge at the front, the success of the Melbourne weekend will depend on the resilience of the team’s human element. If the Maranello mechanics can overcome the fatigue of redirected travel and hit the ground running by Friday, the Scuderia remains a favorite to spoil the party for their rivals. The ability to adapt to these unforeseen challenges will be a defining characteristic of whichever team emerges on top in this new, unpredictable era of Formula 1.
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