Mercedes ends Bahrain F1 test after Nico Rosberg tyre blowout
Mercedes' running at this week's Bahrain Formula 1 tyre test has been brought to an end by damage sustained when Nico Rosberg suffered a blowout at 320km/h
AUTOSPORT understands that while the Mercedes did not hit anything, the car did require some repairs as a result of the high-speed spin.
As there was insufficient time to complete repairs to get him back out on track for the rest of the final part of the three-day Pirelli test, the decision was taken not to run again.
Rosberg, who was not injured in the incident, Tweeted about the accident this morning, although this was subsequently deleted.
"Just spun at full speed 320km/h on Bahrain straight cause my tyre blew up without warning," he wrote. "Thanks to that need to get some toilet paper now..."
Pirelli is testing its 2014 rubber in Bahrain using '13 cars, with Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Ferrari running alongside Mercedes, which has had Rosberg driving for all three days.
When contacted by AUTOSPORT, a Pirelli spokesperson declined to comment directly but did stress that failures can happen during tyre testing.
"The test in Bahrain is a private tyre test, so most data generated from it are confidential," said the spokesperson.
"However, incidents can happen, this is what testing is for. Our testing programme will continue as planned."
Mercedes Formula 1 team grabs Red Bull technical duo Ellis and Wood
Sergio Perez feared Formula 1 exit before Force India deal
Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock
Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock
Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident
Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident
Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried
Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried
Audi ace Muller explains the factors that helped end DTM win drought
Audi ace Muller explains the factors that helped end DTM win drought Audi ace Muller explains the factors that helped end DTM win drought
Rosberg: Wolff's workload puts me off wanting to be F1 team boss
Rosberg: Wolff's workload puts me off wanting to be F1 team boss Rosberg: Wolff's workload puts me off wanting to be F1 team boss
Why Bottas won't emulate Rosberg to beat Hamilton
Why Bottas won't emulate Rosberg to beat Hamilton Why Bottas won't emulate Rosberg to beat Hamilton
Mercedes: Not realistic to be beating Red Bull this F1 season
Mercedes: Not realistic to be beating Red Bull this F1 season Mercedes: Not realistic to be beating Red Bull this F1 season
“No excuses” for F1 teams chasing Red Bull - McLaren boss Stella
“No excuses” for F1 teams chasing Red Bull - McLaren boss Stella “No excuses” for F1 teams chasing Red Bull - McLaren boss Stella
Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much
Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much
Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous"
Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous" Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous"
Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race
Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race
Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash
Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash
Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds
Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.