Pirelli’s planned wet-weather tests at Sakhir in Bahrain, scheduled alongside McLaren and Mercedes, have been canceled following the recent attacks between Israel and Iran. The Italian company has confirmed that all personnel are currently safe.
The tensions in the Middle East, which in recent hours have escalated into military attacks between Israel and Iran, are now visibly affecting motorsport programs as well.
Of course, these two situations are not comparable. On one side are human lives, and on the other, a sector that, while providing employment for thousands, cannot hold the same level of importance in various respects. Nevertheless, it is important to report what is happening, as the latest retaliatory attacks launched by Iran against the U.S. Fifth Fleet stationed in Bahrain have effectively halted Pirelli’s test program at the Sakhir track.
The Italian tire manufacturer, the sole supplier for Formula 1, was scheduled to run two days of testing at Sakhir to continue the development of wet-weather tires. The track was to be flooded with water to test both Intermediate and Full Wet compounds.
Pirelli would have shared the track with Mercedes and McLaren, using the same circuit that recently hosted the two pre-season tests. However, this will not be possible today, nor is it expected to take place tomorrow.
In a brief but clear statement, Pirelli confirmed to ScuderiaFans.com that the Sakhir tests have been canceled for safety reasons following the military attacks from Israel and the Iranian response in recent hours.
“The two days of development testing for wet-weather compounds scheduled for today and tomorrow at the Bahrain circuit have been canceled for security reasons, following the evolution of the international situation,” the statement read.
Even more important is the part of the announcement that addresses the safety of Pirelli’s personnel based in Milan. All staff members currently in Bahrain are safe, and the company is working to ensure not only their security but also their organized return to Italy and the United Kingdom.
“All Pirelli personnel currently in Manama are safe in hotels. The company is working to guarantee their safety and to organize their return to Italy and the United Kingdom as soon as possible,” the statement added.
It is still impossible to predict how the situation in the Middle East will develop over the coming hours. However, it is clear that motorsport, including Formula 1, will be significantly impacted in upcoming events on the global calendar.
The cancellation of the wet-weather tests in Bahrain underscores the direct impact of global geopolitical instability on the Formula 1 landscape. With personnel safety prioritized and the development of the 2026 tire compounds temporarily halted, the sport now waits to see how these international tensions will affect the broader racing calendar in the weeks to come.
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