F1
Due to tensions in the Middle East, Pirelli cancels its planned tests in Bahrain
© DPPI
The tensions that have been shaking the Middle East since Saturday are also disrupting, indirectly, the Formula 1Ten days after the end of pre-season testing in Bahrain, the Pirelli teams were present in Sakhir to carry out two days of testing on the circuit which will host the 4th round of the championship from April 10 to 12.
Pirelli was planning to test the rain tires with McLaren et Mercedes Benzpresent on site to ride on a track that had been watered for the occasion. But obviously, international events disrupted the Italian manufacturer's plans: in response to the bombings launched by the United States and Israel on its soil, Iran retaliated by targeting the American naval base located in Manama, the capital of Bahrain.
In this climate, compounded by other bombings that hit the small Gulf kingdom, Pirelli abandoned its planned testing. "The two days of rain tire development testing scheduled for today and tomorrow (Saturday and Sunday, editor's note) at the Bahrain circuit have been cancelled for safety reasons, due to the evolving international situation."Pirelli shared in a statement which AUTOhebdo had access to. "All Pirelli staff currently in Manama are safe in their hotels. The company is working to ensure their continued safety and to arrange their return home as soon as possible."
The Pirelli teams must now head to Australia, where the first race of the season will be held in Melbourne from March 6 to 8. As for Bahrain, the Kingdom of the Two Seas is scheduled to host the fourth Grand Prix of the season from April 10 to 12, before F1 travels to Saudi Arabia (April 16-19), a country also targeted by Iranian bombing.
No decision has yet been announced regarding whether these events will take place, as the international situation could obviously change in the coming weeks. However, air traffic is particularly slow in the Middle East, which could cause some difficulties for personnel transiting to Australia. Some drivers, particularly those from junior formulas, have had their flights canceled. Formula 1 is also not currently questioning the status of the first race weekend in Melbourne.
ALSO READ > The WEC is assessing the situation regarding Qatar on a daily basis.
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Paul Lucas
03/03/2026 at 09:18 a.m.
Don't get your hopes up, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs will be eliminated, because the turf war won't be over by April! A little reflection never hurts! So what does Liberty Media have to do, find two replacement circuits in less than a month? Huge financial loss, because if there are at least six open circuits in Europe, they would accept, but wouldn't pay a single dollar to participate, and would have to ask for money to do so!! Right, isn't it?
Yves-Henri RANDIER
05/03/2026 at 06:56 a.m.
An opportunity for some European circuits to host a Grand Prix in 2026 at a lower cost. Imola? Hockenheim?
Yves-Henri RANDIER
02/03/2026 at 05:49 a.m.
@dedeHJ37: That's doubtful given the current state of French finances! And what French private entity would want to finance an event with such low profitability, especially since the Netherlands are withdrawing despite Verstappen and the Oranje Army?
dedeHJ37
02/03/2026 at 06:55 a.m.
Hello, yes, I completely agree. I only dared to dream. Today, France means nothing, everything is ruined. At my age (almost 76), I knew a beautiful era that I will never see again.
Yves-Henri RANDIER
05/03/2026 at 06:55 a.m.
Alas!
Paul Lucas
02/03/2026 at 10:52 a.m.
So, "old man," the big boss of current F1, you're in deep trouble with your buddies from the Persian Gulf! What are you going to do? Where are you going to replace them, because by April it's all over, as they say. Don't dream that this feud will be over; there are a few REAL circuits in Europe...
dedeHJ37
02/03/2026 at 09:06 a.m.
Would France be welcome?
Alain Féguenne (🇱🇺 Luxembourg)
02/03/2026 at 01:39 a.m.
Excellent decision, because only God knows how long this will last…? And to try out some rainy conditions, we have plenty of circuits in Europe available…!!! Safety first. (Barcelona / Spa-Francorchamps / Silverstone / Le Castellet…). To all… 😎👀🧐
Yves-Henri RANDIER
01/03/2026 at 04:28 a.m.
Things aren't looking good in the Persian Gulf, beyond the role of some of the region's airports as hubs! The Crown Plaza and the Grand Air, two hotels in Manama, Bahrain, were hit today by Iranian missiles... and I believe the F1 circus uses one of these hotels! So Stefano, what tracks will replace Sakhir/Manama on April 10th/11th/12th and Corniche/Jeddah the following week? Luckily for Losail/Qatar and Yas Marina/Abu Dhabi, scheduled for November and December, Donald Trump will have stopped racing by then, as the mid-terms are before those two Grands Prix.
eric stevens
01/03/2026 at 02:41 a.m.
If it's to test rain tires, they can go to Spa; no need to water them for now! As for holding "exotic" GPs, that's the risk when you approach areas known to be "high-risk." It's quite possible that there won't be the full number of races scheduled for F1 and MotoGP, because the "players in this mess" aren't planning on getting cozy anytime soon... or ever, for that matter.
Hilton Leon
01/03/2026 at 02:38 a.m.
Good point about Melbourne, because many flights transit through Doha, DXB or AUH, three Persian Gulf airports that are closed.