Mar.2 (GMM) Formula 1 is scrambling to protect the start of its 2026 season after fresh military escalation in the Middle East disrupted air travel just days before the Australian GP.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, prompting retaliatory missile attacks targeting US and allied facilities in Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Several major airport hubs – including Doha and Dubai – temporarily closed their airspace, forcing teams and officials to urgently reroute travel plans to Melbourne.
Around 2000 F1 personnel are currently in transit, many having remained in Bahrain following pre-season testing. Alternative routes via Singapore and Hong Kong are reportedly in heavy demand, while some have opted to fly directly to Perth before connecting across Australia.
An FIA spokesperson confirmed the governing body is monitoring developments closely.
“Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan, and therefore not in the affected region,” the statement said. “The affected World Championship races are not scheduled for several weeks. As always, we are monitoring such situations closely and working with the relevant authorities.”
Bahrain (April 12) and Saudi Arabia (April 19) could be in trouble if instability persists. The season also concludes with races in Qatar (November 29) and Abu Dhabi (December 6).
A planned two-day Pirelli wet-tyre test in Bahrain was cancelled at short notice.
“The two days of development tests for wet-weather compounds, scheduled for today and tomorrow at the Bahrain International Circuit, have been cancelled for security reasons following the evolving international situation,” Pirelli said.
“All Pirelli personnel currently in Manama are safe in their hotels. The company is working to ensure their return to Italy and the UK as soon as possible.”
One of the Iranian missiles reportedly landed roughly 20 kilometres from the Sakhir circuit.
Drivers including Nyck de Vries and Frederik Vesti – due to participate in the cancelled tyre test – were unable to leave Bahrain immediately due to airspace closures.
Ferrari organised a charter flight with a refuelling stop in Singapore to ensure its personnel reached Melbourne on time. Other teams have adopted similar contingency measures.
Formula 2 has been particularly exposed. With more fragile logistics than F1, several teams report cargo stranded at Gulf airports, raising fears equipment may not arrive in Australia before practice begins on March 6.
Russian commentator Alexey Popov warned of wider implications.
“I hope things will calm down in the Middle East,” he said. “But right now it looks like there won’t be any racing there at all.”
In Abu Dhabi, residents reported air defence systems operating near Yas Marina Circuit after missile interceptions.
The crisis casts fresh light on Formula 1’s expanding footprint in the region. Days ago, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali defended the championship’s four Middle Eastern races.
“The growth of our business in those countries is unparalleled,” he told Corriere della Sera. “The benefits are mutual.”
Join Grand Prix Tours in Austin, Texas for the high-energy 2026 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Experience nonstop action on one of Formula 1’s most exciting tracks, featuring dramatic elevation changes, thrilling overtakes, and a packed race weekend. Off the track, enjoy a festival atmosphere with live music, world-famous BBQ, and buzzing nightlife. Your Grand Prix Tours package includes a fully curated race weekend, highlighted by exclusive access to our private F1 Celebrity Talk Show, where guests gain insider insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives. With demand soaring and this event quickly becoming a modern American racing tradition, now is the time to secure your spot for an unforgettable Austin Grand Prix experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
There are motorsport events, and then there is the Indianapolis 500, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Next year marks Grand Prix Tours' 42nd Indianapolis 500 tour and our decades of experience and local connections provide exclusive access that few fans ever enjoy, including police escorts on race day, a Dallara IndyCar Factory tour, Gasoline Alley and Legends Day, the Driver Introduction Ceremony, and a private dinner with former Indy driver Derek Daly. Combined with excellent hotel accommodations, seamless event planning, and Grand Prix Tours' signature service, this is far more than a race weekend; it's a once-in-a-lifetime motorsport experience. With tour spaces limited each year, we encourage you to reserve your place early for the 111th Indianapolis 500.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience Formula 1 at its most iconic with an unforgettable trip to the 2027 Grand Prix de Monaco. Feel the excitement as the world’s best drivers race through the legendary streets of Monte Carlo, surrounded by superyachts, Mediterranean views, and the unmistakable glamour of Monaco. From incredible race viewing to carefully selected accommodations, Grand Prix Tours brings you closer to the action at one of the most prestigious and spectacular events in all of motorsport.
SHOW PACKAGES
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate test of speed, strategy, and endurance. Watch the world's top manufacturers battle for 24 nonstop hours in one of motorsport's most prestigious events. With Grand Prix Tours handling your accommodations, transfers, and ticket options, all that's left is to experience this unforgettable bucket-list race.
SHOW PACKAGES
Feel the roar of Formula 1 at its spiritual home. Silverstone is one of the fastest and most demanding circuits in the world, where brave overtakes, lightning-fast direction changes, and flat-out commitment separate the best from the rest. Combined with the electric atmosphere created by hundreds of thousands of passionate fans, the British Grand Prix delivers a race weekend unlike any other.
SHOW PACKAGES