F1 tyre test in Brazil axed over security concerns

Pirelli and McLaren have cancelled a Formula One tyre test scheduled for the Brazilian Grand Prix circuit today and tomorrow after teams were targeted by armed robbers in Sao Paulo over the weekend.

In the most alarming incident, eight members of world champion Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes-GP team were robbed at gunpoint shortly after leaving the circuit on Friday night.

Staff from Formula One’s tyre supplier Pirelli were the latest to be targeted when they left the circuit on Sunday night following the grand prix.

The crew managed to escape unharmed, but it marked the fifth alarming incident despite the promise of heightened security by local authorities.

Members from the Woking-based McLaren team and Pirelli were due to stay on in Sao Paulo for the remainder of the week.

British teenager Lando Norris, who turned 18 yesterday, had flown to Sao Paulo to take part in the tyre test alongside Belgian’s Stoffel Vandoorne.

But the two-day test has now been scrapped after staff from McLaren and Pirelli understandably expressed their frustrations and unease over the apparent lack of security. Staff from the McLaren team were said to be relieved the test had been cancelled.

A Pirelli statement read: “Following a robbery attempt, neutralised 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 today and tomorrow on the Brazilian circuit with Team McLaren.

“The decision, shared with McLaren, FIA and Formula One, was made in the interest of the safety of the personnel, both McLaren’s and our own.”

Earlier in the week, a car containing officials from motor sport’s world governing body the FIA was approached by masked gunmen, while members of the Williams team witnessed the attack.

Staff from Sauber were also held up as they left the circuit on Saturday.

All escaped unharmed, but the incidents raise question marks on how track security can be dealt with.

“We are extremely disappointed with the events of last week,” a Formula One spokesperson told Press Association.

“In fact, disappointed is not even a strong enough word.

“But is not our call, and it is not our responsibility. Security within the circuit is up to the promoter, and they have to liaise with the local authorities.

“We have our own security team that travels with us, and they were liaising with the local authorities. We are actively involved, but we cannot be experts in every city we go to.

“We don’t want these things to happen. We have a year between now and the next race to get it sorted, and we would be extremely disappointed if things have not been looked at.

“People leaving the circuit are exposed and it is obvious that they are at a disadvantage and that is something that needs to be addressed.”