- Formula One chiefs organised a major logistical operation, including chartered flights, to transport hundreds of essential personnel to Melbourne for this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
- This extraordinary measure was necessary due to widespread travel disruption caused by airspace closures in the Middle East.
- Two chartered flights departed London on Monday night, carrying staff from 10 F1 teams and officials, with affected personnel expected to arrive in Melbourne just 48 hours before the first practice session.
- Approximately a quarter of the F1 workforce, estimated at 2,000 individuals per Grand Prix, had planned to travel through Middle Eastern hubs, with over 50 per cent of staff from one UK-based team impacted.
- While F1 bosses are confident the Australian Grand Prix will proceed, the ongoing instability in the Middle East casts doubt over later races scheduled for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which F1 is “closely monitoring”.
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F1 bosses take action to help staff reach Australia amid Middle East travel chaos
