The flared-up conflict in the Middle East is also affecting Formula 1. Tire supplier Pirelli has canceled the planned wet-weather tire tests in Bahrain for this weekend, while FOM announces it is monitoring the situation. Following the three races in Australia, China, and Japan, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix are already on the schedule.
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Pirelli’s tire tests were scheduled to take place on the weekend of February 28 and March 1; one week before the Australian GP. The goal of the tests was to try out the new wet-weather tires in Bahrain together with Mercedes and McLaren. The tire supplier was to flood the Bahrain International Circuit using sprinklers for this purpose. However, Pirelli announced on Saturday that the test days would not go ahead. The reason behind this was safety concerns from the supplier, following the outbreak of war between the United States and Israel with Iran.
“The two days of development tests for wet-weather tires, which were to take place today and tomorrow at the Bahrain International Circuit, have been canceled for safety reasons due to the changing international situation,” a Pirelli spokesperson said on Saturday. “All Pirelli employees currently in Manama are safe in their hotels. The company is doing everything possible to ensure their safety and arrange their return to Italy and the United Kingdom as quickly as possible.”
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FOM also responds to unrest
However, the unrest in the Middle East does not only affect Pirelli’s tire tests. Following the three opening rounds in Australia, China, and Japan, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix are on the schedule. Both countries were targets of missile attacks from Iran, in which a US naval base in Bahrain was hit. Formula 1 Management (FOM) said in a brief statement that it is monitoring the situation. “Our next three races are in Australia, China, and Japan, not in the Middle East – those races are not for several weeks,” the statement reads. “As always, we are monitoring a situation like this closely and working closely with the relevant authorities.”
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