Lewis Hamilton puts in the miles after Nicole Scherzinger break-up

Lewis Hamilton hailed Mercedes’ first pre-season test ahead of the new Formula One season as "pretty special" after the team sent the lap counter into a frenzy in Jerez this week.

On a day when Hamilton’s private life was again brought into focus, the 30-year-old brushed his latest break-up with on-off celebrity girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger aside by pounding out the miles yesterday.

A spin when the circuit was damp after having just fitted slick tyres was the only blot on Hamilton’s copybook, but the reigning champion still racked up 117 laps and 208 overall for his two days behind the wheel of the W06-Hybrid.