Pirelli has cancelled its two-day wet weather test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, following nearby missile strikes on Saturday morning. The test was scheduled to take place from March 28-29, but it has been called off due to security concerns. The Bahrain circuit is located near the US Navy's 5th Fleet base, which is based in Manama, Bahrain.
The cancellation of the test is a significant blow to Pirelli and F1 teams, as it would have provided valuable data for the development of wet-weather compounds. With the test now cancelled, Pirelli will need to rely on alternative methods to gather data and make necessary adjustments to its tire compounds.
Mercedes and McLaren had mule cars left behind at Bahrain for the wet tire test, with Frederik Vesti, Mercedes test driver, among those in Bahrain for the Pirelli wet weather test. The cancellation of the test means that these teams will not be able to use the data gathered during the test to fine-tune their car's performance.
The cancellation of the Pirelli wet tire test is a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by F1 teams and personnel in regions with ongoing conflicts. The fact that the test was cancelled due to missile strikes highlights the growing concerns about safety and security in the F1 paddock.
F1 teams will need to navigate travel issues as they prepare for the upcoming season, which starts next week. With Bahrain and Saudi Arabia hosting the fourth and fifth rounds of the 2026 season, teams will need to ensure that their personnel are safely transported to these locations.
The cancellation of the Pirelli wet tire test is a significant setback for F1's plans to gather data on wet-weather compounds. With the 2026 season already underway, teams will need to rely on alternative methods to gather data and make necessary adjustments to their car's performance.
Bahrain has often been the season opener between 2006 and 2024, but it moved back to the fourth round last year and will remain on the same early April weekend for 2026 as well. Despite the cancellation of the Pirelli wet tire test, the Bahrain Grand Prix is still set for April 12th.
The FIA is monitoring the situation in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, but has not yet moved dates or called for a cancellation. An F1 spokesperson shared that the next three races are in Australia, China, and Japan, and not in the Middle East - those races are not for a number of weeks.
As always, the FIA is closely monitoring any situation like this and working closely with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of teams and personnel. The cancellation of the Pirelli wet tire test highlights the growing concerns about safety and security in the F1 paddock, particularly in regions with ongoing conflicts.
The cancellation of the Pirelli wet tire test highlights the growing concerns about safety and security in the F1 paddock, particularly in regions with ongoing conflicts.
