Former Minardi test driver Sergey Zlobin miraculously escaped a car-bombing in Moscow with only bruises, a spokesman confirmed on Tuesday.

It was reported briefly on Monday that the Russian's silver Mercedes-Benz jeep-style vehicle exploded in the Russian capital when he turned the ignition.

Police found explosives underneath the car and are treating the case as attempted murder.  Photographs of the scene show that Zlobin's car is largely intact.

The Moscow Times also quoted a city prosecutor spokesman as saying Zlobin escaped with only minor bruises and is otherwise unhurt.

"The floor was torn apart and struck me in the legs," Zlobin told NTV television. "I can't even imagine who would do this or what they would want from me."

With connections to large sponsors like the state controlled oil company Gazprom, Zlobin became the first Russian formula one driver when he occasionally tested for Minardi in 2002-2005.

Source: GMM