F1 testing cancelled due to Middle East safety concerns

A planned two-day F1 tyre test in Bahrain has been cancelled following missile strikes as tensions grow in the Middle East.

All Pirelli and F1 personnel on site in Sakhir are safe in their hotels following the United States and Israel launching attacks on Iran on Saturday morning, in what US President Donald Trump called "major combat operations."

In retaliation to the attacks, Iran launched missiles across the Middle East, with verified footage on social media showing a missile striking the command centre of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

Mercedes and McLaren had supplied mule cars for Pirelli to conduct routine tyre testing, with the two-day event planned to feature wet-weather running by artifically wetting the track to gather crucial data. 

However, following the missile attacks, which closed Middle Eastern airspace and major international transit hubs in Dubai and Qatar, the test has been abandoned.

Approached by RacingNews365 for a statement, Pirelli confirmed that all personnel were safe as the test was abandoned.

"The two days of development tests for wet-weather compounds, scheduled for today and tomorrow at the Bahrain International Circuit, have been cancelled for security reasons following the evolving international situation," began the statement. 

"All Pirelli personnel currently in Manama are safe in their hotels. The company is working to ensure their safety and arrange their return to Italy and the UK as soon as possible."

The Bahrain Grand Prix is set to be held on April 12th, followed one week later by the Saudi Arabian GP, with F1 itself also monitoring the situation, with paddock personnel set to be travelling to Australia for the season-opener next weekend, with many set to transit via the Middle East in the coming days.