An engine problem was the cause of Lewis Hamilton’s on-track stoppage during the penultimate afternoon of Formul🦂a 1 pre-season testing in Barcelo𒊎na. 

The six-time world c🧔hampion was conducting a long run and had just started his 14th lap of the afternoon when his W11 lost all power coming out of Turn 5. 

Hamilton managed to coast to Turn 6 before his 2020 challenge𝐆r ground to a complete standstill, bringing out a fourth red flag of the penultimate day of pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. 

His Mercedes was recovered to the pits on a flatbed truck before the German manufacturer confirmed as 🐼a precuationary power unit shutdown due to "an oil pressure anomaly" following an investigation into the breakdown. 

"We’ve experienced an oil pressurꦕe anomaly, which made the engine shut down as a precautionary measure," a Mercedes spokesperson said.

"We’re further investi🍌gating the issue; unfortunately, that🌞 means our running for today is done." 

Hamilton’s run plan has been cut﷽-short prematurely as a result, with Mercedes sidelined for the rest of Thursday as the team fixes the issue▨. 

Mercedes logged just 61 laps between its drivers on Thursday, marking its lowest mileage total of an otherw🍰ise strong winter test programme for the reigning world champion squad. 

It has led the way in the lap charts prior to Hamilton’s stoppage, with an electrical issue for Valtteri Bottas during the opening week also acting as a blemish on its testing programme.ꦇ 

Mercedes customer team Williams has been thwarted by a number of engine-related problems and has already g🎐ot through three power units throughout the opening five days of testing so far. 

Deputy team principal Claire Williams described the situationಌ as “frustrating” after the British outfit encouꦛntered its latest failure on Wednesday as Nicholas Latifi's FW43 conked out with an oil pressure problem.  

RED FLAG

Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes grinds to a 𒀰halt during

— Formula 1 (@F1)