Manufacturer suspends activity with Mercedes and McLaren due to security concerns
Pirelli has cancelled the tire development test it was set to hold at the Bahrain International Circuit amidst the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The activity was scheduled for two days and would involve teams such as Mercedes and McLaren, focusing on the development of wet-weather compounds.
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The decision was made after the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran, followed by Iranian retaliations that also hit Bahraini territory. As a direct consequence of the regional tension, the country’s airspace was closed this Saturday, making it impossible to continue the schedule.
In an official statement, Pirelli informed:
“The two days of development tests for wet-weather compounds, scheduled for today and tomorrow at the Bahrain circuit, have been cancelled for security reasons, due to the evolution of the international situation.
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All Pirelli personnel currently in Manama are safe in their hotels. The company is working to ensure the continuity of this safety and to organize their return home as soon as possible.”
The Italian manufacturer has not detailed, so far, whether the tests will be rescheduled or incorporated into the development calendar throughout the season.
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