Hamilton injured, pulls out from test drive

F1 News – Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton has missed out on the opportunity to sample Pirelli’s 2017 tyres for the first time after experiencing discomfort in his foot following training on Tuesday.

Hamilton was scheduled to open Pirelli’s two-day tyre test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Wednesday, before handing over to Nico Rosberg today (Thursday).

However, Rosberg conducted running in Mercedes’ mule car on Wednesday, completing 60 laps on a day affected by cold temperatures and afternoon rain.

Mercedes test driver Pascal Wehrlein, who races for Manor, is instead in action for Mercedes and Pirelli at the Spanish Grand Prix venue today.

“He experienced some discomfort after training on Tuesday so it was decided then that he wouldn’t drive on Wednesday as planned,” a Mercedes spokesperson confirmed, regarding Hamilton.

Pirelli has been conducting tyre testing with 2017-sized rubber since Formula 1’s summer break, with Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull providing modified 2015 cars.

Wehrlein has already racked up five days of running with Pirelli’s 2017 tyres after carrying out developmental work at Paul Ricard last month in both dry and wet conditions.

Category: Formula One