F1 driver 'forced to seek medical treatment' after incident during pre-season testing in Bahrain

A Formula One driver was forced to seek urgent medical care after an incident during the first day of testing in Bahrain.

Two months after the 2024 season closer in Abu Dhabi, F1 fans finally got to see some on-track action on Wednesday as the first day of pre-season testing got underway at the Bahrain international circuit.

McLaren star Lando Norris finished day one on top of the lap times after a chaotic first day of testing that saw a power cut force teams to halt testing for an hour.

But one driver had a worse day than anyone else after he had to see medical treatment following a shocking incident.

Following the morning session, a press conference took place with four drivers to reflect on the first track times of pre-season, but a new report has revealed that Nico Hulkenberg was also due to be present but had to withdraw.

The Sauber driver completed 55 laps on Wednesday, with a best time of 1:32.169, but was forced to finish his session early and seek urgent medical treatment after a top journalist confirmed that 'particle' had flown into his eye.

“Nico Hulkenberg had to get out of the car early after just three and a half hours. His working day was then over,” said Christian Menath via Motorsport-Magazin.

“He was actually supposed to be at the FIA press conference but he was not and then it was clear to us that something wasn’t right. It’s not that noticeable that a driver gets out half an hour early or that he’s not on the track.

“It’s not that noticeable at a test. We look at the times and everyone follows a different programme, so that can happen from time to time. But when Nico Hulkenberg wasn’t at the press conference where he was actually announced, it was clear that something wasn’t right.

Nico Hulkenberg was forced to finish his first day of testing and seek medical attention. (Image: Getty)

“And then it quickly emerged that the team had been working on the car and a particle flew into Nico Hulkenberg’s eye and that meant that he had to get out of the car a good half hour early and seek medical treatment.

“But at this point we can already give the all-clear. Everything is OK again.”

Thankfully, Hulkenberg was fine and able to complete testing on Thursday.