Lewis Hamilton will not test Pirelli's new 2017 tyres in Barcelona today.
The reigning world champion was due to sample the new rubber for the first time but has withdrawn with a "sore foot".
"Lewis had some discomfort in his foot after training on Tuesday," said a Mercedes team spokesperson. "It was agreed he wouldn't test so he could rest it and get physio to be in good shape for Austin which he will be. There are no concerns about next week."
Pirelli had called on teams to use race drivers for the tests, after both Mercedes and Red Bull gave their running to test drivers Pascal Wehrlein and Sebastien Buemi. Meanwhile, both Ferrari races Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen have so far joined in with the testing programmes.
This week was set to be the first time Mercedes' race drivers had tested Pirelli's wider 2017 tyres. Nico Rosberg ran yesterday, completing 60 laps in a rain-disrupted day.
Today test driver and Manor race driver Wehrlein will once again step in for the absent Hamilton.
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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