Pirelli and Ferrari have postponed this week’s planned wet tyre test due to company restrictions over the Covid-19 outbreak.
Formula 1 will introduce 18-inch tyre rims for the 2021 season and Pirelli is using its allocation of 25 test days to carry out preparation on the amended wheels.
Its programme began with Ferrari at Jerez in early February, and the next session – which was due to take place in wet conditions – was scheduled for Thursday at the manufacturer’s Fiorano facility.
But in a joint statement issued on Tuesday it was confirmed that the test has been postponed due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation.
Italy – where both Pirelli and Ferrari are based, and where the test was due to take place – has been one of the countries worst affected by the outbreak and spread of the coronavirus.
Ferrari and AlphaTauri both implemented policies to protect staff and suppliers, with AlphaTauri requesting that some guests avoid travelling to pre-season testing.
The coronavirus has had an impact on the sporting calendar.
As it stands Formula 1’s Chinese Grand Prix is the only event postponed, with organisers in Australia and Bahrain pressing on as planned with their respective grands prix.
On Tuesday race organisers in Bahrain requested travel information from those planning to attend the grand prix, following tighter restrictions imposed by authorities in the country, explaining it is working with the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Health in putting “specific measures” into place.
They have requested names and flight details of those who have been in China, Egypt, Hong Kong, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore or Thailand.
Teams and Formula 1 personnel have re-arranged flight plans to avoid certain transit hubs, most notably Hong Kong and Singapore, due to entry restrictions.
MotoGP’s opening race in Qatar has been cancelled while its planned second event in Thailand has been indefinitely postponed.
Formula 2 and Formula 3 testing has taken place in Bahrain this week as scheduled, though some Italy-based team members had initial difficulties entering, while Renault junior Christian Lundgaard missed the action after being among those quarantined in Tenerife.
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