Spain, June 18: Austrian Alexander Wurz has escaped unhurt after severely damaging McLaren's new Formula One car in a crash while testing in Spain. It was the second accident this month involving the new MP4-18A, which is unlikely to make its F1 debut before the British Grand Prix on 20 July. Finland's Kimi Raikkonen crashed the car in testing in Barcelona the week before last. A McLaren spokeswoman said: "As a matter of course Alexander was taken to the medical centre at the circuit, but has been released and is fine, having only suffered minor bruising. "Initial feedback suggests that the accident was not due to mechanical failure.

"The MP4-18A that Alexander was driving has been severely damaged, however this will not affect the continuing development of (the car) or its subsequent race introduction".

McLaren and Raikkonen are desperate to get the new car into action as soon as possible after they lost the lead in both the constructors' and drivers' championships at last weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.

Bureau Report