Relief at Mercedes and McLaren: Test teams return from the Middle East

Mercedes and McLaren were scheduled to take part in a Pirelli tyre test last weekend, but due to Iran’s unexpected attacks on the country, it was called off at the last moment.

The personnel from Mercedes, McLaren, and also Pirelli, spent a few days in their hotel as closed airspace made a return flight impossible. Everyone is now safely home, as has been confirmed to GPblog.

Moreover, Mercedes team members that are needed in Melbourne will continue their journey and are expected to be in Australia by Thursday evening, ready for the race weekend.

Representing McLaren, Nyck de Vries was in Bahrain for the test that was ultimately canceled. For Mercedes, Fred Vesti was slated to run. The Dane is the team’s third driver and was due to fly to Melbourne at the start of the week. The Australian Grand Prix is on the schedule there this coming weekend. Vesti is now also en route to down under.

In just over a month, the Bahrain Grand Prix is nominally on the calendar. It is yet unclear whether this race will be able to go ahead.