On the day that kicked off the free practice sessions of the Australian Grand Prix, the main sponsor of the first round of the season, Qatar Airways, announced a drastic change to its program organized for its guests present at Albert Park in Melbourne.
According to reports from the Australian Financial Review, the airline contacted the latter by telephone to inform them that every hospitality event initially planned has been cancelled. The final decision was made based on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which is affecting, among various nations, Qatar as well.
For the airline, it would have been inappropriate to organize hospitality events for some of its guests while others remained stranded in the Middle East: “Due to the ongoing closure of Qatari airspace and the temporary suspension of Qatar Airways flight operations – the official statement reads – the airline has postponed the events scheduled for media and partners in Melbourne this weekend.”
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The events organized by the main sponsor of the Australian GP included a VIP dinner at the luxury restaurant Marmelo in Melbourne (which would have taken place on Friday evening in Australia), as well as access to the F1 Paddock Club.
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