F1 testing cancelled over Middle East safety concerns

A two‑day tyre test at Bahrain International Circuit was scrapped after missile strikes closed Gulf airspace and hit the US Fifth Fleet’s command centre, prompting Pirelli to prioritize staff safety and cancel the session.

Why it matters:

• Wet‑weather tyre data is essential for teams to tune cars for the unpredictable conditions expected in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
• Staff safety is non‑negotiable; any incident would damage F1’s reputation and could trigger legal scrutiny.

The details:

• The test, set for 14‑15 March on a wet Sakhir track, would have used mule chassis from Mercedes and McLaren to evaluate new wet‑weather compounds.
• After a missile struck the US Fifth Fleet’s command centre in Bahrain, Gulf airspace and major hubs in Dubai and Qatar closed, prompting Pirelli to cancel the programme and keep staff safe in Manama hotels.

What's next:

• Bahrain’s Grand Prix stays on 12 April, with organisers ready to adjust tyre allocations if data gaps persist.
• Saudi Arabia’s race a week later will undergo a security review, while F1 monitors the broader geopolitical climate as teams head to Australia for the season‑opener.