Overview
- Australian Grand Prix organisers confirmed the Melbourne opener will proceed as scheduled, with race freight and cars already at Albert Park.
- Large numbers of F1 staff rerouted to Australia after Gulf airspace closures, with reports ranging from hundreds to around 1,000 or more personnel switching to alternative and charter flights.
- Pirelli canceled a planned tyre test at Bahrain International Circuit on security grounds following regional strikes.
- FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said decisions on the April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia remain under close review with safety and wellbeing as the priority.
- Several outlets report a decision on the Middle East rounds is expected within weeks, with an internal timeframe cited as no later than the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29, as teams plan logistics for the revamped 2026 season.