Formula 1 has suspended its curfew rules for the Australian Grand Prix due to the travel disruption caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
The FIA advised teams on Wednesday that evening’s curfew on working hours and the Thursday evening curfew will not apply due to reasons of force majeure.
“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 in an official communication.
The two periods last 13 and 14 hours respectively and apply to the 60 staff members defined as “Operational Personnel”, plus a further 16 designated “Training Personnel”, whose work on the cars is restricted to control costs. It does not apply to drivers or team members whose work involves media, marketing or similar.
The FIA has not announced any changes to the third ‘Restricted Period’, which lasts for 14 hours and falls between the second and third practice sessions at this event. Teams are permitted a limited number of exceptions to the curfews: six for period one, five for period two and four for period three.
The United States and Israel began strikes against Iran on Saturday, leading to retaliatory strikes which have hit several countries in the region and disrupted air travel. The fighting has already caused the cancellation of an F1 tyre test which was due to take place in Bahrain at the weekend which Mercedes was due to participate in.
“With the ongoing situation in the Middle East, it seems trivial to talk about sport,” said Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. “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 FIA’s World Endurance Championship has called off its season-opening race at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar which was due to take place on March 28th. Questions remain over the viability of F1’s upcoming two races in the Middle East in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on April 12th and 19th respectively.
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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 – when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring journalist, Keith began running the site full-time in 2010, achieving a long-held ambition to dedicate his full attention to his passion for motor racing. View all posts by Keith Collantine