Major F1 sponsor cancels Australian GP events over Middle East crisis

Qatar Airways, the official airline partner of Formula 1, has cancelled all hospitality events at this weekend's Australian Grand Prix due to the Middle East crisis.

It was reported by The Australian Financial Review that the airline had called guests to inform them that it would be inappropriate to host celebrations at the grand prix while other invited guests remain stuck in the Middle East.

Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have all been struck by missiles or drones from Iran since the latter entered a conflict with the United States and Israel.

As a result, F1 could face a month without a grand prix, should races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month be cancelled due to safety concerns.

While Australia has not been directly impacted by the crisis, the grand prix has, with Qatar Airways having pulled the plug on all of its hospitality.

Qatar Airways is the naming rights partner of the Australian GP and had scheduled a VIP dinner on Friday evening at a high-end restaurant in Melbourne. In addition, guests had also been invited to the F1 Paddock Club to watch the race.

Not only has the dinner at Marmelo restaurant been cancelled, but the airline has also retracted the F1 Paddock Club passes for this weekend's season-opener.

Guests were contacted by phone, with two people who had been invited telling The Australian Financial Review that their invitations were withdrawn by the company.

Qatar Airways confirmed late on Thursday that the decision had been taken "in light of the situation and out of respect for those impacted".

A spokesperson said: "Due to the ongoing closure of Qatari airspace and the temporary suspension of Qatar Airways’ flight operations, the airline has postponed its scheduled media and partner events in Melbourne this weekend."