Lewis Hamilton's debut drive for new team Mercedes has come to a jarring halt in Formula One preseason testing at the Jerez circuit after smashing into a barrier.

He had just set the second fastest lap of the day when his Silver Arrow went straight on at the Dry Sack hairpin, careered across the gravel trap and slammed nose-first into a tire barrier.

Hamilton climbed out unaided from the cockpit, but the nose of his new car was damaged.

It has not been a good beginning for Mercedes, after Hamilton's teammate, Nico Rosberg, suffered a spectacular car failure with flames erupting from the rear on Tuesday. Rosberg was unable to resume testing afterwards.