Force India team pulled out of a Bahrain Grand Prix practice session on Friday after a night of clashes between security forces and protesters in Shi’ite villages that left several people wounded.

“For logistical reasons the team will run a rescheduled program for the rest of the weekend, which will result in the team missing second practice to ensure the most competitive performance in FP3, qualifying and the race,” the team said.

Earlier, deputy team principal Bob Fearnley told Autosport magazine that they were considering curtailing practice in order to return to their hotel before dark. But they would not miss qualification on Saturday afternoon or the race itself on Sunday.

Silverstone-based Force India was rattled on Wednesday evening when four of its mechanics, in a car returning to their hotel from the circuit, were caught up in violent incidents involving protesters and the police.

A petrol bomb exploded close to their vehicle and they had to evade tear gas.

The incident prompted one team member, not involved in the incident, and a contractor hired by the team to return home despite official assurances that Bahrain was safe. Nobody was injured.

And Bahrain’s main opposition group, Al-Wefaq, called for a week of daily protests during the Grand Prix to focus media attention on their longstanding demands for greater equality in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.

The opposition announced that further protests were scheduled for later on Friday, but the government has banned protests in Manama itself.