JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, Spain: Britain’s former world champion Lewis Hamilton had a minor accident yesterday during his first day of testing for his new team Mercedes in Spain.
The 28-year-old, 2008 champion, was on his 15th lap of timed testing when he drove the brand new car straight off the track and piled into a barrier of tyres without sustaining any noticeable injuries.
The session was immediately brought to a halt, while German teammate Nico Rosberg was only able to complete 14 laps before calling it a day on Tuesday, following electrical problems that caused a minor fire.
Despite the problems which are possibly linked to a faulty front suspension, Hamilton has high hopes for the upcoming season that begins on March 17 in Melbourne.
“There is no company with a longer history in Grand Prix racing than Mercedes-Benz and it is an honour for me to tread in the footsteps of legends like Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss and Michael Schumacher.” Hamilton told the Mercedes website.
“It’s the start of a new chapter for me, a new adventure
Rosberg who has just one victory on the circuit in 128 starts says he is also well prepared for the new season in his fourth year with the English-based team.
“I’ve been working really hard over the winter on my physical preparation, both in the mountains - climbing to over 2,000 metres with ski boots - and also in the Mediterranean, training on my bike, swimming and running.
“The atmosphere in the team is very positive and the people are highly motivated to succeed. And, of course, I have a new team-mate with Lewis (Hamilton).
“It’s his first time in the Silver Arrow and I look forward to working together and pushing each other hard, to make this the best team in Formula One.”
Germany’s Sebastian Vettel will be gunning for a fourth straight driver’s crown as the campaign begins in Australia and will feature 19 races until the final Grand Prix on November 24 at Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Meanwhile, Russian team Marussia confirmed yesterday that Brazilian Luis Razia will be their second driver for the upcoming 2013 Formula One season.
The 23-year-old, who was runner-up during the 2012 GP2 Series, will race alongside British team-mate Max Chilton.
He carried out his first testing session just one hour after Marussia confirmed his drive for the upcoming campaign which begins on March 17 in Melbourne.
“It’s fantastic to be back with the Marussia F1 Team and with pretty much the same group of people I worked with back in 2010 when I was reserve driver,” Razia told the Marussia website.
“I am very proud to take the step up to a Formula 1 race seat, particularly with the team I began this journey with, since they helped show me what it takes to progress to the highest level. “The past two seasons in GP2 have been all about proving that I have what it takes and that I’m ready.
“I am also looking forward to the first race in Melbourne and I’m excited to be racing alongside Max, who I competed against last season. Team boss John Booth is optimistic their new young line-up have the potential to make an impact.
“He is a very quick and tenacious driver who battled hard to the runner-up spot last year. Together with Max (Chilton), we are fielding a young but incredibly ambitious pairing and we look forward to seeing what they can achieve.”
The only remaining seat yet to be unveiled before the Australian curtain raiser is at Force India, where Scotland’s talented Paul di Resta awaits confirmation of his next teammate, although Frenchman Jules Bianchi is rumoured to be in the frame.
Agencies
