The planned activity at the Bahrain International Circuit has been suspended after a missile strike approximately 20-25 kilometers from the track, amidst the ongoing conflict affecting the region. There, McLaren and Mercedes were scheduled to conduct official tests with tire supplier Pirelli ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season in Australia. Pirelli confirmed that all its personnel are safe, but decided to cancel the event as a precautionary measure following the closure of airspace in parts of the Gulf. The company is evaluating the possibility of moving the tests to Europe, while the Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled for April 12 is, for now, still on the calendar, although the FIA is closely monitoring the situation's evolution in the country. According to the Milan-based company, all staff present in Manama are safe in their hotels, and work is already underway to organize their return to Italy and the UK as soon as possible. The incident has raised concerns within Formula 1 just weeks before the start of the 2026 championship, which is set to begin in Australia. The calendar includes an immediate return to the Middle East with the Bahrain Grand Prix from April 10-12 and, a week later, the event in Saudi Arabia, dates that are now under observation as the geopolitical situation continues to develop. "The two days of development tests for the rain compounds scheduled for today and tomorrow at the Bahrain circuit have been canceled for security reasons, due to the evolution of the international situation," the company stated. The priority has now shifted to the situation of the personnel deployed to the area.
