Williams testing ends after Stroll spin

Williams was forced to end running after just 12 laps on the second day of pre-season testing due to a damaged car following a spin for Lance Stroll.

Stroll, who has carried out extensive testing of previous-generation Formula 1 cars but was getting his first taste of an official test, got out of shape on the exit of the high-speed Turn 9 and overcorrected on the exit curb, pitching his car toward the outside of the track and sliding sideways through the gravel.

While the rookie stopped on an unused part of the circuit and was able to return to the garage under his own power, Williams confirmed during the lunch break that its running was over for the day after less than one hour of testing due to a lack of spare parts.

"Lance was on lap six of his second run when he had a spin," Williams head of performance engineering Rob Smedley said. "The grip was particularly low and so he spun and went through the gravel backwards. Even though the accident was entirely innocuous we've unfortunately had quite a bit of accident damage, which we're now in the process of repairing.

"We're having to send some composite parts back to the factory, which will be back with us at some point tomorrow. We're doing the upmost we can now to get back out on track at the earliest opportunity tomorrow. We will be able to recover the program in the coming days."

Stroll himself brushed off the incident, saying the colder conditions early in the morning played a part.

"[On the] second run, just getting to grips with the car," Stroll said. "Kind of low grip. I just lost the car, it kind of snapped."

Asked if his confidence has taken a hit as a result of the incident, Stroll replied: "No, not at all.

"It is unfortunate. One front wing, a spin, a little winglet [damaged], but that is Formula 1. The car is very complex. There is not a lot of room for error. I'm just getting to grips with the car. A little spin. I drove back to the paddock. Sometimes these things happen, but no, not a dent in the confidence.

"I was actually really confident, really happy in the car the few laps I did. I am looking forward to getting back at it tomorrow, and still plenty of running ahead."