Vettel crashes during Pirelli wet-tire test

Pirelli rain tire

Sebastian Vettel crashed on the opening day of Pirelli's dedicated wet-tire test at Ferrari's Fiorano circuit, though avoided any injuries in what was described as a "normal accident".

Pirelli organized the test, in the build up to pre-season running, to sample experimental rubber, using Ferrari's mule car – a modified version of the team's 2015 model – on an artificially soaked track.

However, amid cool conditions, Vettel lost control of his car at Turn 7 – on the run to the hairpin – and slid into the barriers; photos posted online showed it snapping to the right after he turned left.

A Ferrari spokesperson confirmed that Vettel was unharmed.

Ferrari's car, however, was too damaged to continue with Thursday's running.

"It was a normal accident on an artificially wet track," added a Pirelli spokesperson.

"Before the accident, around 40 laps were driven [by Vettel] in the morning on different kinds of experimental wet tires – we are testing towards the 2018 season – and good data was collected."

Several Formula 1 drivers had questioned the performance of Pirelli's Full Wet compound in the wake of rain-hit races last year, with complaints led by Ferrari drivers Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.

Pirelli's Motorsport Director, Paul Hembery, recently explained to GPUpdate.net that the manufacturer had worked hard to improve its wet rubber, amid the move to a wider profile for 2017.

It is not yet clear whether Vettel's accident will impact Friday's planned running.