Mercedes up in flames in Jerez
2013-02-06 08:11
HOT ON THE TRACK: Nico Rosberg literally turned the heat up on the track after his car briefly flared flames during testing in Jerez.
JEREZ, Spain - Mercedes called a halt to its first day of Formula 1 testing on Tuesday January 5 2013 after Nico Rosberg stopped on the track with flames flaring briefly around the back of his car.
The team blamed an electrical fault.
Mercedes said on its Twitter feed: "After identifying the cause of the problem, we will not be running again today while parts are modified ready for Wednesday. The part which requires modification is the wiring loom where the electrical fault originated this morning."
TEST FOR LEWIS
Rosberg completed 14 laps at the Jerez circuit in the F1 W04 car that he and new team mate Lewis Hamilton unveiled to the world on Monday (Jan 4).
Hamilton, the 2008 World champion who has moved from McLaren, is due to have his first proper run in the car on Wednesday (Jan 5).
Mercedes were fifth overall in 2012 and the Briton, who replaces Germany's seven-times World champion Michael Schumacher, could have a hard road ahead of him before the regulations change in 2014.
The 2013 season will start with the Australian GP in Melbourne on March 17.
