Formula 1 News: McLaren’s Motorhome Evacuated Due to Suspected Fire at Spanish Grand Prix
In a dramatic turn of events, McLaren’s Formula 1 motorhome at the Spanish Grand Prix was evacuated on Saturday morning after emergency services were called to attend to a suspected fire above the kitchen. The incident occurred just ahead of the final free practice session for this weekend’s race in Barcelona.
According to eyewitnesses, a host of safety personnel rushed through the paddock to help attend to the fire, which broke out in the area at the rear of what is known as the McLaren Team Hub. The fire is believed to have involved electrics and prompted motorhome staff to evacuate team personnel, guests, media, and drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
“This morning we evacuated our Team Hub paddock hospitality unit following a fire alert, the team has been safely evacuated while the local fire brigade handle the issue,” said a team spokesman.
Pirelli’s head of F1 and car racing, Mario Isola, who is a part-time paramedic, was one of the first on the scene and helped bring in fire extinguishers along with other workers from the tyre company. Shortly after, several fire engines attended the scene, with firemen rushing into the motorhome with hoses to attend to the fire. Ambulances were also in attendance.
The incident raised concerns about whether it would impact McLaren’s preparations for the final free practice session, as the equipment of Norris and Piastri is normally kept in the motorhome. However, the drivers and car crews were seen getting ready as usual shortly after the start of FP3, with most teams in no rush to join the action and get out on track while it was green.
This is not the first fire incident to occur at the Spanish Grand Prix. In 2012, the Williams garage famously erupted in a blaze after fuel caught fire following Pastor Maldonado’s victory.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Formula 1 news, including Formula 1 today and Formula 1 calendar updates, right here on our website. For more information on Formula 1 autocentre and other car racing news, be sure to check out our dedicated section.
🔗 Source