Russell crashes for Mercedes in early end to Abu Dhabi test

George Russell suffered a crash in the post-season Abu Dhabi Grand Prix test at Yas Marina to bring his 2023 season to a formal close.

After completing 58 laps of the track - a Grand Prix distance - Russell suffered a component failure on his W14, and hit the barriers at Turn 6.

He was uninjured as the car was recovered back to the pits, with Frederik Vesti continuing on in the concurrent young driver test.

Elsewhere on a relatively quiet day of testing, Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchaire suffered a slow start with problems on the Alfa Romeo, but continued on with Carlos Sainz topping the morning session for Ferrari from Sergio Perez in the Red Bull.