Nico Rosberg spins off track due to tyre failure

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg spun off track during a winter testing run in Bahrain after one of his tyres blew out.

The German was travelling at 320km/h when the prototype Pirelli tyre gave out, but did not sustain any injuries.

"Just spun at full speed 320km/h on Bahrain straight cause my tyre blew up without warning. Thanks to that need to get some toilet paper now," he wrote on Twitter, before deleting the post.

Pirelli has addressed the incident with a statement declaring that Rosberg's near miss is under investigation, and confirming that the tyre type involved will not be used again.

"The tyre tests in Bahrain regarded a number of prototypes, which were completely innovative in terms of structure and compounds, with the aim of developing the most suitable solutions for the next season," BBC Sport quotes the firm as saying.

"This morning Nico Rosberg's Mercedes was fitted with one of these prototypes, a tyre which had only been tested in the laboratory and which will not be proposed again.

"Thus, the safety of the tyres which will be supplied for the next championship is not in question. The accident which happened to Rosberg's car is being investigated and the findings will be communicated to the FIA and the teams."

Damage to Rosberg's Mercedes has forced the team to end its programme for the week.