The Australian Grand Prix will go ahead without major disruptions after the FIA organised chartered flights to bring around 500 staff to Melbourne this week.

Following the US-Israel attack on Iran, which caused widespread travel disruptions among the Middle East’s key travel hubs such as Dubai and Doha, the FIA booked multiple alternative charter flights to ensure key personnel would make it to the Victorian capital in time.

Sports travel agency Travel Places organised a British Airways plane via Singapore and a business-class only private jet that stopped over in Tanzania, which arrived on Australian soil on Wednesday, according to The Independent.

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It ensured there wouldn’t be a repeat of the 2020 Australian Grand Prix, which was cancelled at the eleventh hour due to Covid-19 complications.

“It is a great testament to the sport how they are able to pull this off at such short notice, and to get us to the other end of the world,” a paddock insider told PA.

The governing body also decided it would not enforce standard curfews that keep personnel involved in running the cars out of the paddock, lifting restrictions on Wednesday and Thursday night as a result of “force majeure and specifically ongoing travel and freight disruptions.”

Piastri MOBBED in Melbourne | 00:25

GASLY SPEAKS ON MIDDLE EAST RACES

Alpine driver Pierre Gasly declared that Formula 1 would make the “right decision” amid fears over major disruption to the 2026 schedule due to conflict in the Middle East.

F1 is due to race twice in the region next month when it visits Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which have both been struck by Iranian missiles in recent days.

“Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan and not in the Middle East – those races are not for a number of weeks,” an F1 spokesman said.

“As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities.”

How the F1 circus returns to the region to stage two races in a matter of weeks is of increasing concern to organisers, but Gasly trusts the governing body will make the “right decision”.

“I trust the people in charge. There’s so much at stake,” Gasly told Sky Sports News.

“I have some family living in the Middle East, and people close to me. It’s difficult to get my head around everything that’s going on when you know what’s happening at the moment.

“Hopefully things will get better, but, ultimately, F1 will make the right decision and what’s best for all of us.”

According to reports, a call about whether the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, on the 12th and 19th of April respectively, will go ahead will be made “in the next few weeks”.

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In a statement, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem declared that “safety and wellbeing” would guide decisions on what to do about the Middle East races.

“As President of the FIA, my thoughts are with all those affected by the recent events in the Middle East. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and stand with the families and communities impacted,” he said in a statement.

“At this moment of uncertainty, we hope for calm, safety, and a swift return to stability. Dialogue and the protection of civilians must remain priorities.

“We are in close contact with our member clubs, championship promoters, teams and colleagues on the ground as we monitor developments carefully and responsibly.

“Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled there for the FIA World Endurance Championship and the FIA Formula One World Championship. Our organisation is built on unity and shared purpose. That unity matters now more than ever.”