Why F1’s curfew rules have been scrapped at Australian GP

The FIA has scrapped the normal curfew restrictions for Formula 1’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

F1’s governing body relaxed the curfew rules for force majeure reasons due to the travel disruption caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

A coordinated US-Israeli attack on Iran on 28 February and resulting spread of conflict in the region has resulted in global travel chaos, with major connecting hubs of Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and Doha in Qatar impacted.

The disruption has had an impact on F1’s preparations for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, with personnel from teams delayed by several days in some cases while alternative flights were found.

F1 used charter planes to fly hundreds of affected members of the sport’s travelling circus to Melbourne. A British Airways plane carried staff from 10 of F1’s 11 teams and F1 officials to Australia via Singapore.

Ferrari and Racing Bulls are understood to have been the teams most affected by the travel disruption caused by the airspace closure in the Middle East.

The entire crews from both teams were stuck in Italy before managing to get a charter flight from the UK. While they have now arrived in Melbourne, they are behind on the usual weekend car preparation.

As such, the FIA has taken the unprecedented step to cancel the curfew rules for the 2026 season-opener.

The 11 teams were informed of the decision by the FIA on Wednesday.

“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 teams.

The first two restricted periods are usually applied ahead of opening practice on a grand prix weekend.

No changes have been announced as yet for the third restricted period, which lasts for 14 hours and falls between the second and third practice sessions in Melbourne.

“With the ongoing situation in the Middle East, it seems trivial to talk about sport,” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said in a team preview ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. “We watch the developing events in the region with concern and hope that the protection of civilian life remains paramount.

“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.”

The World Endurance Championship’s 2026 season opener in Qatar has been postponed until later in the year due to the conflict.

Question marks remain over the Qatar MotoGP, due to be held on 12 April, as well as next month’s F1 double-header in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.