McLaren’s Formula 1 motorhome at the Spanish Grand Prix had to be evacuated on Saturday morning as emergency services were called following a suspected fire above the kitchen.
Ahead of the final free practice session for this weekend’s race in Barcelona, a host of safety personnel rushed through the paddock to help attend to a fire that had broken out in the area at the rear of what is known as the McLaren Team Hub.
It appears that the fire broke out in the area above the kitchen, so may have involved electrics.
The incident prompted motorhome staff to evacuate team personnel, guests, media and drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who were seen in the paddock watching the events unfold.
As the fire broke out, Pirelli’s head of F1 and car racing Mario Isola – who is a part-time paramedic – was one of the first on the scene as he and other workers from the tyre company brought in fire extinguishers.
Soon 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.
Fire alarm at the McLaren Hospitality
Photo by: Jon Noble
With the fire breaking out quickly, it has been unclear if the incident would impact McLaren’s preparations for the final free practice session, with it understood that 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.
A short statement from McLaren said that its team personnel had escaped safely from the incident.
“This morning a fire was detected in our trackside Team Hub,” said McLaren.
“The team hub was evacuated of all staff and guests, and circuit emergency services attended the scene within minutes. The circuit emergency services and local fire department have since extinguished the fire.
“One McLaren team member has been taken to hospital as a precaution, and all McLaren personnel and guests are accounted for.
“We would like to thank all the marshals and emergency services for their quick and professional response. We would also like to thank Formula 1, the FIA and our competitors who have offered to help our team and guests this weekend.”
McLaren said later that the team member had been released from hospital.
“The McLaren team member who had been taken to hospital for review has now been discharged. Our thanks go to the circuit and hospital medical staff for their care and support.”
The Spanish Grand Prix is no stranger to fire incidents, with the Williams garage famously erupting in a blaze after fuel caught fire after Pastor Maldonado’s victory in 2012.
