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Formula 1 Week in Review: Bahrain Wet-Weather Test Postponed Amid Global Tensions

A planned wet tyre evaluation session at the Bahrain Grand Prix has been shelved following escalating US-Iran hostilities. This week's roundup covers this significant disruption alongside other notable developments from the Formula 1 paddock.

Formula 1 Week in Review: Bahrain Wet-Weather Test Postponed Amid Global Tensions
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In a significant scheduling change, Formula 1 has cancelled a wet tyre testing session that was set to take place during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend. The decision comes in response to heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, which have forced the sport to reassess its operational plans at the Middle Eastern venue.

The postponement represents a notable setback for teams preparing their wet-weather strategies, as Bahrain's unpredictable conditions occasionally present testing challenges that are difficult to replicate elsewhere on the calendar. Engineers and strategists had been counting on the session to gather crucial data ahead of potentially damp race days.

Organisers have not yet confirmed alternative arrangements for the cancelled testing programme, leaving questions about whether teams will receive comparable opportunities to fine-tune their wet-weather setups before they might be needed in competition.

This situation underscores the complex interplay between international politics and Formula 1's global operations, particularly at venues located in geopolitically sensitive regions. The sport continues to monitor developments closely as it approaches its calendar commitments in the coming weeks.

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Sporting Regulations

Article B6.1.1

FIA Source

Supply Of Tyres

Chapter: B6

In Simple Terms

F1 has one official tyre supplier who must make three different types of dry-weather tyres, plus intermediate and wet-weather tyres available to all teams. Each tyre type looks visibly different so everyone knows which compound is being used. Sometimes extra experimental tyres are tested during races.

  • Single tyre manufacturer provides all tyres for the season
  • Three dry-weather tyre specifications must be available (soft, medium, hard compounds)
  • One intermediate and one wet-weather tyre specification each
  • All tyre types must be visibly distinguishable from one another
Official FIA Text

The single tyre manufacturer must provide three specifications of dry-weather tyre, one specification of intermediate tyre, and one specification of wet-weather tyre, each visibly distinguishable. Additional tyre specifications may be made available for In-Competition Tyre Evaluation and In-Competition Tyre Testing at certain Competitions.

tyre supplytyre specificationsdry weather tyresintermediate tyreswet weather tyres
2026 Season Regulations
Sporting Regulations

Article B6.6.5

FIA Source

Test parts, Test Software, Component Changes & Set-up Changes

Chapter: B6

In Simple Terms

Teams can test new parts and software during official tyre tests, but the car's basic setup must stay the same throughout the test. They can only make changes to the car's mechanical setup, driver controls, or software if it's absolutely necessary to properly test the tyres or complete the test.

  • Test parts and test software are allowed during tyre tests
  • The car must maintain a fixed specification, configuration and setup
  • Mechanical setup changes are only permitted if necessary for tyre evaluation
  • Any component or software changes must be justified by tyre testing requirements
Official FIA Text

Test parts and test software are permitted. However, the Car must remain in a fixed specification, configuration and set-up. Mechanical set-up changes, driver control changes, software and component changes are only permitted if necessary for correct evaluation of tyres or to complete the tyre test.

test partstest softwaretyre testfixed specificationmechanical setup
2026 Season Regulations
Technical Regulations

Article 9.1

FIA Source

Tyre Specifications

Chapter: Chapter IX - Tyres

In Simple Terms

Pirelli is F1's sole tyre supplier. Each driver gets a fixed allocation per weekend: typically 13 sets of slicks (across soft, medium, hard), plus wet weather tyres. Teams must strategically use their allocation across practice, qualifying, and the race.

  • Pirelli is sole official supplier
  • Fixed allocation per weekend
  • Three dry compounds: soft, medium, hard
  • Intermediate and wet also provided
Official FIA Text

Only tyres supplied by the official tyre supplier may be used. During a race weekend, each driver is allocated a specified number of dry weather tyre sets comprising soft, medium and hard compounds, plus intermediate and wet weather tyres.

pit strategytyre degradationcompound selectiontyresPirellicompoundssoftmedium
2026 Season Regulations