Bahrain: Formula 1 monitoring Middle East conflict after Iran strikes U.S. base near bahrain circuit
bahrain is at the centre of renewed concern in motorsport after Iran launched a wave of retaliatory missile and drone strikes on United States military bases in Gulf countries that will host upcoming Formula 1 races. Pirelli has cancelled a two-day wet tyre test scheduled for February 28 to March 1 at the Bahrain International Circuit, citing safety and the evolving international situation.
Pirelli cancels Bahrain test
Pirelli said the two-day wet-weather tyre test planned for February 28-March 1 at the Bahrain International Circuit, using sprinklers, has been called off. The company released a statement: "The two days of development testing for the wet compounds scheduled for today and tomorrow at the Bahrain circuit have been cancelled for safety reasons, following the evolving international situation. " A separate company statement used slightly different wording: "The two days of development tests for wet-weather compounds, scheduled for today and tomorrow at the Bahrain International Circuit, have been cancelled for security reasons following the evolving international situation. "
Personnel safety and returns
Pirelli confirmed that "All Pirelli personnel currently in Manama are safe in their hotels. " it is working to ensure their continued safety and to arrange their return home as soon as possible, and in another statement said it was working to arrange their return to Italy and the UK as soon as possible.
What Iran’s strikes involved
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck U. S. military installations and several Gulf nations in response to a joint U. S. -Israel offensive launched earlier that day. The countries named among those struck include Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The IRGC vowed the strikes will continue "relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated, " and Iran’s armed forces spokesman warned that any base used to facilitate the U. S. -Israeli offensive is a legitimate target.
Proximity to the Bahrain circuit
One of the installations struck, U. S. Naval Forces Central Command, sits roughly 20 miles from the Bahrain circuit and about seven miles from the Bahrain International Airport. A spokesperson for the Bahrain International Circuit said the organizers are in close contact with Formula 1.
Race calendar and logistical impact
The Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled for April 10-12, with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix following one week later on April 17-19. The F1 season opens next week in Melbourne from March 6 to 8, with China following from March 13 to 15 and Japan from March 27 to 29. An F1 spokesperson acknowledged the situation and noted: "Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan, not in the Middle East — those races are not for a number of weeks. " The spokesperson added, "As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities. "
Teams, travel and paddock reaction
Organizers and teams face immediate travel disruption. The cancelled tyre test involved Mercedes and McLaren personnel alongside Pirelli staff and had been scheduled before the Melbourne opener. The evolving situation is affecting some teams' travel plans for the Australian Grand Prix because the Middle East is often used as a layover hub from the UK en route to Australia. Airspace closures in the region are already affecting transit through Abu Dhabi and Qatar.
