Sebastien Buemi escaped unhurt in the wake of a high-speed crash during Formula 1 tyre testing at Silverstone on Wednesday.
Red Bull Racing and Williams stayed behind after the British Grand Prix in order to carry out two days of tyre testing on behalf of sole supplier Pirelli.
Pirelli is continuing to hone its 2020 prototypes before switching attention to 18-inch tyre testing, ahead of the size switch for 2021, this September.
Buemi has occupied the role of Red Bull’s reserve driver since 2012, having been dropped by Toro Rosso, a position he has held in conjunction with race duties in the World Endurance Championship and Formula E.
![Aston Martin managed its first race finish of 2026 with Fernando Alonso [behind] completing the distance](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aston-Martin-Honda-Japanese-GP-120x86.webp)
Buemi has only had a handful of track outings during his eight-year spell as reserve driver but one of those came on Wednesday at Silverstone.
But the test came to a premature halt when Buemi suffered a heavy accident on the exit of the high-speed Abbey corner.
Red Bull confirmed that “the cause of the incident is under investigation” and that “Sebastien was released by doctors following a thorough medical examination.”
Robert Kubica and George Russell were in action for Williams while Buemi had taken over driving duties from regular racer Pierre Gasly.
![Aston Martin managed its first race finish of 2026 with Fernando Alonso [behind] completing the distance](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aston-Martin-Honda-Japanese-GP-350x250.webp)
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