Lewis Hamilton's first day behind the wheel of his Mercedes resulted in the 2008 world champion crashing into a tyre barrier due to rear brake pressure.
After 15 laps, the 28-year-old locked up at the turn-six hairpin at 170mph and ploughed through a wide expanse of gravel and and slammed into the tyres.
Hamilton emerges after the crash
The British driver, who moved from McLaren in the winter, emerged unscathed and the car was soon craned on to the back of a flatbed truck before being taken back to the garage.
A Mercedes team spokesperson said: "The front brakes enabled him to slow the car but he couldn't avoid the barrier.
"There is obvious damage to the front wing and nose; we are checking the car over now. Lewis himself is fine."
Yesterday Hamilton's teammate Nico Rosberg completed only 14 laps on Tuesday at the pre-season test at the Circuito de Jerez. after an electrical fault led to a small, short fire.
Lewis Hamilton crashes Mercedes
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(01 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP looks on after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(02 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP looks on after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(03 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(04 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(05 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP looks on after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(06 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(07 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: A team mechanic removes the wreckage of the W04 car belonging to Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP after crashing into the gravel at turn six after crashing during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-ESP-MERCEDES(08 of42)
Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton steers his Formula One during the second day of testing at Jerez racetrack, on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera. AFP PHOTO/ CRISTINA QUICLER (Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(09 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(10 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(11 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Team mechanics remove the wreckage of the W04 car belonging to Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP after crashing into the gravel at turn six after crashing during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(12 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: The W04 car belonging to Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP sits in the gravel at turn six after crashing during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-ESP-MERCEDES(13 of42)
Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton steers his Formula One during the second day of testing at Jerez racetrack, on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera. AFP PHOTO/ CRISTINA QUICLER (Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(14 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(15 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: A course marshall inspects the spot where the W04 car belonging to Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP crashed into the gravel at turn six after crashing during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(16 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(17 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(18 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(19 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(20 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(21 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(22 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(23 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(24 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(25 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(26 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks away from his car after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(27 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP looks on after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(28 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP looks on after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(29 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP looks on after crashing into the gravel at turn six during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Formula One - Testing Day Two - Circuito de Jerez(30 of42)
The covered wreckage of Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes is winched on to a tow truck after crashing during testing at Circuito de Jerez, Jerez, Spain. (credit:PA)
Formula One - Testing Day Two - Circuito de Jerez(31 of42)
The covered wreckage of Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes is winched on to a tow truck after crashing during testing at Circuito de Jerez, Jerez, Spain. (credit:PA)
Formula One - Testing Day Two - Circuito de Jerez(32 of42)
The cover wreckage of Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes is winched on to a tow truck after crashing during testing at Circuito de Jerez, Jerez, Spain. (credit:PA)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(33 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Formula One - Testing Day Two - Circuito de Jerez(34 of42)
The covered wreckage of Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes is winched on to a tow truck after crashing during testing at Circuito de Jerez, Jerez, Spain. (credit:PA)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-ESP-MERCEDES(35 of42)
Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton steers his Formula One during the second day of testing at Jerez racetrack, on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera. AFP PHOTO/ CRISTINA QUICLER (Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(36 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(37 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(38 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day Two(39 of42)
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives during Formula One winter testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-ESP-MERCEDES(40 of42)
Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton steers his Formula One during the second day of testing at Jerez racetrack, on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera. AFP PHOTO/ CRISTINA QUICLER (Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-ESP-MERCEDES(41 of42)
Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton sits in his Formula One during the second day of testing at Jerez racetrack, on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera. AFP PHOTO/ CRISTINA QUICLER (Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-ESP-MERCEDES(42 of42)
Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton steers his Formula One during the second day of testing at Jerez racetrack, on February 6, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera. AFP PHOTO/ CRISTINA QUICLER (Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)