( CNN ) -- Lewis Hamilton endured a nightmare start to testing his new Mercedes after driving straight off the track at Jerez on his first day following a hydraulic problem Wednesday . The 2008 world champion , who left McLaren at the end of last season , was on his 15th lap of timed testing when his car went off the track and hit a barrier of tires . Hamilton 's accident , which prevented him from returning to action , follows teammate Nico Rosberg 's disastrous run which was ended by a minor fire Tuesday . Webber vows to battle Vettel for F1 title . The German 's car was found to have been suffering with electrical problems , while Mercedes took to Twitter to give an update on Hamilton 's setback . `` Lewis suffered a loss of rear brake pressure , the front brakes enabled him to slow the car but he could n't avoid the barrier , '' said Mercedes on Twitter . `` Obvious damage to the front wing and nose ; we 're checking the car over now . Lewis himself is fine . `` Update from Jerez , we have traced the problem to the hydraulic brake line connecting to the right-rear caliper . '' Hamilton is expected to return to the track on Friday following the collision , which saw the car career on straight for some 70 meters at 280 kilometers per hour . Ferrari ready for Red Bull fight . Meanwhile , Russian team Marussia has replaced Timo Glock with Brazil 's Luis Razia as its second driver for the 2013 season . The 23-year-old , who finished as runner-up in last season 's GP2 series , will partner fellow rookie Max Chilton when the campaign starts in Australia on March 17 . `` It 's fantastic to be back with the Marussia F1 Team and with pretty much the same group of people I worked with back in 2010 when I was reserve driver , '' Razia told the Marussia website . Glock 's F1 future in doubt after leaving Marussia . `` I am very proud to take the step up to a Formula 1 race seat , particularly with the team I began this journey with , since they helped show me what it takes to progress to the highest level . `` The past two seasons in GP2 have been all about proving that I have what it takes and that I 'm ready . `` I am also looking forward to the first race in Melbourne and I 'm excited to be racing alongside Max , who I competed against last season .
Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton crashes out of first day of race Wednesday . Problem traced to the hydraulic brake line connecting to the right - rear caliper . Marussia appoints Brazil 's Ricardo Razia as its second driver for new season . He replaces Timo Bernhard and will partner Ferrari 's Max Chilton .