Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli will conduct its first-ever wet weather test in Bahrain at the end of February, with McLaren and Mercedes providing two mule cars for the evaluation. This marks a significant development in Pirelli's ongoing efforts to improve its intermediate and full wet tyre performance, which has been a point of criticism from teams and drivers throughout recent seasons.

The Italian manufacturer has faced challenges in testing its wet-weather compounds due to the limited availability of suitable testing conditions at traditional venues. Wet-weather testing opportunities are rare in Formula 1, as most circuits rarely experience rain during scheduled test sessions. This Bahrain test represents a rare chance for Pirelli to gather crucial data on its latest wet-weather tyre developments under controlled conditions.

The test comes as part of Pirelli's commitment to addressing feedback from teams regarding the performance of its wet-weather tyres. By conducting this specialized test with two competitive teams, Pirelli aims to refine its rubber compounds and tread patterns to better handle the challenging conditions that can dramatically impact race outcomes and driver safety.