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F1 make Australian Grand Prix decision as teams caught up in Middle East chaos

Formula One officials are monitoring the situation after several teams were left in travel chaos ahead of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix next weekend following airstrikes by the US, Israel and Iran

[MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes prior to lead the field away for the start prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 16, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)]

Melbourne hosts the first F1 race of the 2026 season(Image: Clive Rose, Getty Images)

The 2026 Australian Grand Prix is set to proceed next weekend despite reported travel worries for several teams. This follows the closure of Doha and Dubai - the primary stopover hubs for Qatar and Emirates airlines - on Saturday due to ongoing conflict in the region.

The Middle Eastern countries made this decision after Iran launched retaliatory strikes in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE in response to the United States and Israel initiating joint airstrikes on the country. The Daily Mail reports that airport closures have resulted in travel turmoil for several Formula One teams ahead of the Aussie GP on Sunday, March 8.

The report suggests that approximately 2,000 team and organisational staff have had to abruptly change their travel plans. It's understood that those heading Down Under are being rerouted onto flights via Hong Kong and Singapore, whilst some are flying directly into Perth with Qantas, before a three-hour and 35-minute domestic connection to Melbourne.

[Second-placed Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen (L), first-placed McLaren's British driver Lando Norris (2L) and third-placed Mercedes' British driver George Russell (R) celebrate on the podium after the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP via Getty Images) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --]

Eventual world champion Lando Norris won last year's race in Melbourne(Image: SAEED KHAN, AFP via Getty Images)

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However, it's believed that the 2026 season-opening F1 race in Australia will still take place. Officials are keeping an eye on the situation and are liaising with the relevant authorities.

Some teams have already made their way to Australia ahead of practice on Friday, before qualifying takes place a day later at Albert Park. F1 are said to be relaxed and are not expecting any significant issues ahead of the season opener.

Apart from the cancelled events in 2020 and 2021, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Melbourne has featured on the F1 calendar every year since 1996. Significant regulation changes promise an unpredictable start to the new season.

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Pre-season testing indicates no team will dominate, though Mercedes and Ferrari are considered as frontrunners to triumph in Australia next weekend.

And there has already been substantial controversy surrounding Mercedes' engine, with competitors claiming they have found a method around engine compression ratio restrictions.

The FIA confirmed earlier this month that it would not prohibit Mercedes' engine and have now revealed a new mid-season rule amendment: a test in June to tackle the alleged 'loophole'.

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