F1 told 'I'm pulling out of first three races' after terrifying Iran and US strikes

Formula 1's DJ Admin will skip the first three races of this season because of the Israeli–United States strikes on Iran and their retaliatory attacks throughout the Persian Gulf. The Dutch DJ, whose real name is Rick Jansen, has said he will not be at any of the Grand Prix weekends this month in Australia, China, or Japan because it does not feel safe to be away from home.

He hopes to be back for the fourth, but that race is in Bahrain, where Formula 1 this week cancelled two days of development tests for wet-weather compounds due to security concerns. Regarding that weekend and the fifth Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia, both in mid-April, a spokesperson has said: "Those races are not for a number of weeks. As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities."

Jansen, however, is taking no chances, and the caption of an Instagram post from Sunday, when translated into English, called it: "A very difficult decision to make." He added: "This month, I will skip the first three races. Not because it would be impossible – with what detours I've gotten stuck – but because it simply doesn't feel good at the moment.

"With everything going on in the world, I don't feel safe and comfortable being away from home. That's a bitter pill, but it feels like the only right decision.

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"In addition, I work with all my heart as a teacher, and I would love to continue doing that, so I can't afford to be stuck somewhere indefinitely. I worked very hard to stand here for 20 years. That's why I'm consciously choosing what feels most responsible for me right now. With pain in my heart, I have made this decision.

"And let me be clear: my disappointment is not in the suffering of those affected on the spot; my thoughts are with them. Stay safe, stay kind to one another. I will be back."

Australian Grand Prix chief executive Travis Auld spoke at a press conference on Monday about the weekend's events. He said, "The last 48 hours have required some reshuffling of flights.

"That is largely Formula 1's responsibility. They take charge of the teams and the drivers and all the personnel that are required here to make this event happen, and there's quite a number of them.

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"My understanding from talking to them this morning is that's all now been locked in, everyone will be here ready for the race, and for fans, they won't notice any difference.

"There are some drivers already in Australia, there are some team members already in Australia, but there are a number in UK and broadly throughout Europe that need to get here, so they've just had to find another way, so that's been a process for them, and I'm sure it's been a lot of work on their behalf."