Williams ditch Barcelona tests after Nakajima crash

Click to view the new Williams FW30 in our hi-res image gallery

Williams F1 had to cut things short yesterday in Barcelona, where Formula One teams were undergoing developmental testing in advance of the upcoming F1 season. While testing the promising new FW30 on Friday, Williams driver Kazuki Nakajima went off course and hit a barrier at full speed, destroying the front of the car. The gravel run-off area had been paved over. Fortunately, in a testament to the safety structures of a modern grand prix car, Nakajima was able to get out of the car and walked away unscathed.

The problem was attributed to aerodynamic issues with that odd-looking front wing. The team flew in replacement parts from its headquarters in the UK on team principal Frank Williams' own private jet in an attempt to rectify the problem and get back on schedule, but after several laps, both Nakajima and his team-mate Nico Rosberg reported unstable front-end handling, so the team packed it up. You can bet Williams will be working hard at getting the front wing issue rectified so that they can continue motoring ahead towards the start of the season in Australia in 41 days and counting.

[Source: Autosport, Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty]