Smoke was seen pouring out of the hospitality centre (Photo: Shutterstock)
McLaren’s hospitality centre at the Spanish Grand Prix had to be evacuated on Saturday morning after a fire broke out.
Smoke was seen pouring out of the motorhome and into the Formula 1 paddock just minutes before the third practice session of the weekend was set to begin.
It is said an electrical fire broke out between two floors near the kitchen area, prompting a swift evacuation, with star driver Lando Norris among those in the motorhome at the time.
All McLaren staff were safely evacuated as firefighters and emergency staff quickly arrived on the scene.
Around 15 to 20 firefighters worked on the scene to promptly extinguish the fire, with the neighbouring Alpine motorhome also evacuated as a precaution.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali told Sky Sports that ‘no McLaren staff were injured in the fire but two fire personnel have been taken away to be treated for smoke inhalation but their condition is not thought to be serious’.
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Around 20 minutes after the fire broke out, McLaren released the following statement: ‘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.’
Practice Three took place without delay, with Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri making their way to the garages to take part, though it is reported that the Brit had been forced to leave his race suit and shoes in the hospitality area.
The incident brought back memories of the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix, when just hours after the race finished there was a huge fire in the garage of the victorious Williams team.
Firefighters arrived quickly on the scene (Photo: AFP)
Two firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation (Photo: Shutterstock)
More to follow…
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