F1: Hamilton accepts blame for test spin

Lewis Hamilton admitted he was to blame for the spin that interrupted Mercedes' test programme on the final day of the first pre-season Formula 1 test at Jerez.

Mercedes was able to complete 117 laps during Wednesday's session, bringing its total for the week to 516, but lost around 40 minutes of running as Hamilton spun the new W06 at the chicane in the morning, bringing out the red flags.

Hamilton offered only a brief explanation of the incident, saying: "It was damp, I was first out on slicks, and I just had a spin."

The F1 world champion added that he has always found new cars difficult to handle during their initial test outings, and that his week at Jerez has been no exception.

"Every time I've driven a car for the first time, it's never felt good," said Hamilton. "The car is at its worst and the tires aren't good in the cool conditions here at Jerez. Even when we were at Valencia a couple of years ago, or even Bahrain, it never feels good the first time; it's just how it is.

"At least you know that's the worst it will be all year, that it will get better through the year."

Originally on Autosport.com