AusGP boss Travis Auld 'confident' that F1 race will go ahead as normal despite flight chaos in Middle East

Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Travis Auld is "totally confident" the Australian Grand Prix will go ahead as the Formula 1 season opener looms ahead for this weekend.

Multiple team personnel were feared to be stuck due to no-flight plans in Bahrain and the Middle East, which is a major flight hub on the path to Australia from the UK and Europe.

But speaking to Nine's Today, Auld was cool and collected, believing that all critical parts and staffers have made it to Australia, or have made alternate flight plans, allowing the grand prix to happen as normal at Albert Park.

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"The events of the weekend have certainly meant there's been some reshuffling of some travel plans, but the Formula 1 organisation are very good at moving people around the world," Auld said.

"That's what they do. We're not expecting any impacts on our race.

"A lot of this is done by Formula 1. You're talking about teams, drivers, F1 personnel. I'm guessing there's close to 1000 people that would have already booked their flights and be landing somewhere between today, tomorrow, Wednesday.

"So they all had to be changed. But a lot of people around the world are doing the same thing. You're competing obviously with that increase in demand."

Australian driver Oscar Piastri and the other 21 drivers set to take the grid for the sport's season opener are believed to be safe and already in Melbourne.

"But they've (Formula 1) been able to sort it out is the important part. All the freight is here and ready to go. And we're in a space where we're really confident they'll be no impact," Auld added.

"I'm sure the teams have contingency plans. I think there's obviously critical race staff and they've been prioritised, and they were the first ones to confirm their new flight plan.

"I think some of the ones coming out now, you could continue the race without them.

"But luckily, we've been able to get everyone that needs to be here, here."

Israel and America launched strikes on Iran on Saturday and then Iran launched retaliatory strikes. Surrounding nations are reportedly being impacted, including Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.

On Sunday morning it emerged Dubai airport had been struck.

Bahrain has been hosting most of the F1 pre-season testing in recent weeks, with the teams and drivers converging on the gulf nation to test the cars.

Wide World of Sports understands Piastri has already left the Middle East and is in Melbourne preparing for his home grand prix next week.

Auld's assurances come despite 9News Melbourne reporter Selina Zhang reporting on Sunday that the F1 season opener was under a cloud.

"A number of the F1 teams are stuck in the Middle East trying to get here to Melbourne," she told Today on Sunday.

"We understand some of the team are already here in Australia, but whether it means the grand prix is delayed, we're yet to find out."

The F1 season begins in Australia, then goes to China and Japan before heading to the Middle East for races in Bahrain (April 12) and Saudi Arabia (April 19).

"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 spokesperson said Saturday, per The Associated Press.

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

Tyre manufacturer Pirelli on Saturday announced the cancellation of its scheduled F1 tyre testing in Bahrain.

- with Reuters