A BMW Sauber mechanic sustained minor injuries after suffering an electric shock from a car fitted with a device which is set to become commonplace in Formula One from next season.
The incident occurred on the first morning of a four-day test at the Jerez circuit in Spain and raised concerns over the safety of the new Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) device.
The device recovers energy generated under braking and stores it in a battery to be channelled back into the car.
The unnamed mechanic reportedly received his shock after touching a hybrid version of the 2008 BMW Sauber fitted with a KERS system and piloted by test driver Christian Klien.
A BMW Sauber spokesman told www.autosport.com: "During the testing of the KERS car at the Jerez test track today, there was an incident involving a mechanic when the car returned to the pits. He touched it and suffered an electric shock.
"He sustained slight injuries to his left hand and grazing on his left arm. After a brief examination at the track's medical centre, he has returned to the test team. We are currently investigating the incident."
The incident comes just days after parts of the Red Bull Racing factory had to be evacuated after overheating problems arose during a KERS system test.
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