Pirelli cancels Interlagos tyre test over safety fears

Pirelli has cancelled its planned two-day Formula 1 tyre test with McLaren at Interlagos over safety fears after a number of incidents through the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend.

A minibus carrying Mercedes team members was held at gunpoint while leaving the circuit on Friday night, resulting in the robbery of a number of valuables from the crew.

Pirelli personnel were also targeted on Sunday night after the race amid brewing concerns over the measures in place to ensure the safety of the F1 paddock in Brazil.

Pirelli had been due to test with McLaren at Interlagos on Tuesday and Wednesday, only for the tyre manufacturer to confirm in a statement issued on Monday the running had been cancelled due to ongoing security fears.

"Following a robbery attempt, neutralized by Pirelli security, on a Pirelli van at the Interlagos circuit last Sunday – after a weekend where similar episodes occurred with other teams – it has been decided to cancel the tyre test planned on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 on the Brazilian circuit with McLaren.," Pirelli said.

"The decision, shared with McLaren, FIA and Formula 1, was made in the interest of the safety of the personnel, both McLaren’s and our own, who would have participated in the test."

McLaren had been due to split running at Interlagos between full-time racer Stoffel Vandoorne and junior Lando Norris, but will now wait until the two-day test following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix later this month to continue its development of Pirelli's 2018 compounds.