ROMAIN Grosjean endured a nightmare first practice session at the British Grand Prix today.

The Frenchman, who drives for the Banbury-based Haas team, crashed in the pit lane at Silverstone this morning.

Attempting to take to the track for the first time, Grosjean lost control and span into the inside wall, damaging his front wing, before depositing debris around the track as he circulated slowly to return to the pits.

When he eventually took to the circuit, the 33-year-old spun at Brooklands on his first flying lap, before ending the session 19th, three places behind teammate Kevin Magnussen.

The duo were 18th and 12th in the second session as Haas’ problems continued.

The team have only scored 16 points in 2019 and Grosjean, who has contributed two of those, had expressed his frustration ahead of Silverstone.

He said: “We haven’t really had a good weekend, in total, for a long time.

“Our race pace in Friday practice these last few weekends hasn’t really been amazing.”

Enstone-based Renault’s preparations were better, with Nico Hulkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo seventh and eight respectively, but 14th and 15th in the second.

George Russell was 17th and 20th for Grove-based Williams, with Robert Kubica 20th and 19th.