Formula 1 News: McLaren Rents Motorhome for Austrian Grand Prix amid Ongoing Repairs to Fire-Damaged Team Hub
McLaren is resorting to a rented motorhome for Formula 1’s Austrian Grand Prix this weekend, as the team continues to tackle the aftermath of a fire that damaged its regular Team Hub motorhome during the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona last weekend. (Formula 1 calendar, Formula 1 today)
The suspected electrical problem between floors of the motorhome triggered a fire on Saturday morning, which was attended to by emergency crews and successfully put out without causing any injuries. However, one team member was hospitalized as a precautionary measure for smoke inhalation. (Formula 1 news)
Despite efforts to clean the motorhome in the Barcelona paddock before it was dismantled, it has since been shipped back to Germany for further servicing and a deep clean. Work is ongoing to get it back in action, with hopes that it may even be ready for next weekend’s British Grand Prix. If not, it should be operational again by one of the races before the summer break. (Formula 1 autocentre)
In the meantime, McLaren is utilizing a rented motorhome from the German Schuler company, which provides its engineering base, known as the Performance Centre, on race weekends. Although the temporary motorhome is smaller than the Team Hub, the team is confident that it will be able to navigate the Austrian GP weekend with minimal disruption, given the fewer number of guests compared to other races. The facility can accommodate engineers and provide meals for mechanics when necessary.
Drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have temporarily relocated their driver rooms to the Performance Centre, where team principal Andrea Stella also has his office.
Stella expressed his gratitude towards the Formula 1 community for their support and solidarity in the aftermath of the incident.
“The assistance, the solidarity, the sympathy, the support we received from each and every one of all the other teams, F1, and the FIA, it gave us, I think a genuine true emotion. We were touched.”
McLaren’s setback has highlighted the sense of community within the Formula 1 paddock, often overlooked due to the highly competitive nature of the sport. As the team works to get its motorhome back in action, they can take comfort in the knowledge that their rivals are willing to lend a helping hand in times of need.
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