F1: Hamilton skips tire test due to sore foot

Lewis Hamilton has been forced to sit out his 2017 Formula 1 tire test with Mercedes at Barcelona on Thursday due to a sore foot.

Hamilton had initially been scheduled to drive a modified 2015 W06 at the Circuit de Catalunya on Wednesday, only to be sidelined by the injury, resulting in Nico Rosberg taking to the wheel.

Mercedes has confirmed junior driver Pascal Wehrlein, competing with Manor this season, will take over from Rosberg for the second and final day of testing in which Pirelli is running the rule over its wider tires for 2017.

A team spokesperson said: "Lewis had some discomfort in his foot after training on Tuesday.

"It was agreed he wouldn't test so he could rest it and get physio to be in good shape for Austin [the United States Grand Prix on October 23], which he will be."

With four races remaining, Hamilton has fallen 33 points behind Rosberg in the battle for this year's F1 drivers' championship.

Originally on Autosport.com