Ferrari driver hits barriers to bring Pirelli test day to early end
Thursday 9 February 2017 23:29, UK
Sebastian Vettel's first day of F1 track action in 2017 ended prematurely after he crashed during a wet tyre test for Pirelli at Ferrari's Fiorano circuit.
Driving the 2015 SF15-T in artificial wet conditions, the four-time champion crashed into the barriers approaching the fast left-hander leading to hairpin on Ferrari's private test track.
The German was unharmed in the accident, but the damage to the car meant he did not return to the track.
When are the 2017 F1 cars unveiled?
Ferrari, who are simulating 2017's expected higher downforce levels on the two-year-old car, are due to complete a second day of testing on Friday.
Although official pre-season testing does not begin until February 27, Thursday was the third time Ferrari have taken to Fiorano with their 2015 car this month. Last week Kimi Raikkonen and new third driver Antonio Giovinazzi focused on correlating simulator data with the track.
Pirelli were granted an extra test to trial their 2017 wet tyres which, like this year's dry compounds, are around 25 per cent wider than last year's.
Ferrari will launch their 2017 car on February 24 with the Italian team to conduct the challenger's initial shakedown in a filming day at Fiorano.
