Lewis Hamilton crashes on test debut for Mercedes

The 28-year-old, who ended a 15-year association with McLaren to move to the Brackley-based team, hit the skids less than two hours into his debut session at the Circuito de Jerez.

Having watched new team-mate Nico Rosberg struggle yesterday, with the German managing just 14 laps before an electrical fault caused a small fire, Hamilton’s rear brake failed just before the turn-six hairpin known as “Dry Sack” at 170mph.

His car then ploughed through a wide expanse of gravel before his front wing eventually pushed into a tyre barrier.

Although Hamilton emerged unscathed, it was hardly the start he would have wanted.

Via their Twitter feed, Mercedes said: “Lewis suffered a loss of rear brake pressure, the front brakes enabled him to slow the car but he couldn’t avoid the barrier. Obvious damage to the front wing and nose; we are checking the car over now ... Lewis himself is fine.”