Escalating tensions across the Middle East means the FIA won’t impose its usual curfew restrictions during the season-opening Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.
Over the last week, concerted military incursions have left the Middle East destabilised.
Attacks on Iran by a joint US-Isreali expedition have resulted in massive retaliation across the globe, especially over the regions of Kuwait, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
Naturally, these airspaces have been shut down and has had a very big impact on the travel plans for the sport as it heads to Melbourne for the opening race of the 2026 season.
Most of the teams are based out of the UK and have had to face major disruptions en route to the Land Down Under.
Luckily, F1 chartered aircrafts that helped the team personnel reach Australia via Singapore. But as a result of these delays, the FIA has decided to scrap its usual curfew norms.
“We wish to inform you that, following consultation with the stewards of the meeting, due to force majeure and specifically ongoing travel and freight disruptions experienced in the preparation of the Australian Grand Prix, the provisions of Article B9.5.1a i.e. ‘Restricted Period 1’ and Article B9.5.1b i.e. ‘Restricted Period 2’ shall not apply at this Competition,” Race Director Rui Marques told all the 11 teams.
These three curfew periods stretched across the three practice sessions during a Grand Prix weekend.
That said, with the Middle East conflict far from settled, the fates of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GP has also been called into question.
In fact, the World Endurance Championship had to postpone its Prologue and season-opener in Qatar recently.
“With the ongoing situation in the Middle East, it seems trivial to talk about sport,” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said in the build up to the race at Melbourne.
“With the planned tyre test in Bahrain, we have had several team members affected who thankfully have now been able to leave the country safely.
“With such a serious situation unfolding, it would be unhelpful to talk about the possible further impact on F1 over the coming weeks; we know that the FIA and F1 will continue to monitor events and make the necessary and correct decisions as and when they need to.”
No decision has been taken by the FIA or F1 yet with respect to the race at the Bahrain International Circuit scheduled in April with the race in Jeddah just a week after.
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