STR3 hits the track - and the wall.

Toro Rosso has completed the first day of running with its new STR3 in Spain, although it was a day that didn't go to plan when Sebastien Bourdais shunted the car heavily at Catalunya.

The car, which looks like the Red Bull RB4 in a number of ways including a sharkfin airbox, had previously completed an aero test in the hands of British F3 racer Brendon Hartley at Vairano, but the Barcelona test marked the first time that the STR3 has completed any meaningful running.

STR3 hits the track - and the wall.

Toro Rosso has completed the first day of running with its new STR3 in Spain, although it was a day that didn't go to plan when Sebastien Bourdais shunted the car heavily at Catalunya.

The car, which looks like the Red Bull RB4 in a number of ways including a sharkfin airbox, had previously completed an aero test in the hands of British F3 racer Brendon Hartley at Vairano, but the Barcelona test marked the first time that the STR3 has completed any meaningful running.

However, Bourdais' accident during the afternoon destroyed the car and means the planned programme for the remainder of the week has now been cancelled; with team-mate Sebastian Vettel having been due to have his first run in the car on the final day of testing on Thursday.

With the team having always planned to continue with the STR2B in next weekends Spanish Grand Prix, the accident won't hinder preparations for the next race on the calendar, although the Italian squad now has work to do if the STR3 is to make its debut as planned in next month's Turkish GP.

Up until the accident, the cause of which is still being investigated, Bourdais had been running well in the new car and he ended the day with the eighth quickest time of the ten drivers on track - ahead of the RB4 of Mark Webber - with the Frenchman admitting to being pleased with the performance of the car compared the STR2B it will replace, and which he has used in the three races run so far.

"The base line is quiet good and I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised," the Frenchman enthused, prior to the accident. "However, the track conditions might be extremely good so I need to be careful with everything I say but so far the car has had no problems at all, which is a very encouraging point.

"The feeling is good and I felt comfortable in the car straight away. From a driving point of view you can feel it has more downforce than the current one and it's a big step forward on the aero package."

Bourdais walked away from the accident, although engineers will now examine the STR3 to see what can salvaged from the damaged car.

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