Fire Breaks Out at McLaren’s F1 Hospitality Suite Ahead of Spanish Grand Prix

Incident Overview

A small fire broke out in the kitchen of McLaren’s hospitality suite ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. Smoke from the fire moved to the building’s upper story from the kitchen. Emergency services were on the scene, and firefighters were trying to control the situation.

Evacuation and Emergency Response

The area was cordoned off, and a thick smell of smoke hung in the air. Two rescue workers were transported to the hospital. McLaren released a statement, stating that the team had been safely evacuated while the local fire brigade handled the issue. Drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, along with staff and guests, were quickly evacuated.

Looks like a fire broke out behind the McLaren motorhome. #AMuS #F1 pic.twitter.com/MNo0EIuN4E

— Tobi Grüner 🏁 (@tgruener) June 22, 2024

Immediate Actions

Pirelli’s head of F1 and car racing, Mario Isola, a part-time paramedic, rushed to the scene with fire extinguishers. Fire engines and ambulances attended the scene. The fire was quickly put out.

Impact on McLaren’s Preparation

The incident has not impacted McLaren’s preparations for the third and final practice session. All car equipment was kept in the garage or motorhome. The final practice session proceeded without delay, with McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri participating.

Statements and Reactions

McLaren and the F1 side released statements confirming that the team had been safely evacuated and the local fire brigade was handling the issue. Lando Norris, who topped FP1 on Friday, reacted by saying that it had been a pretty good day, even though the tyres overheated very quickly.

Details of the Fire

The fire broke out in the area at the rear of the McLaren Team Hub, possibly involving electrics. Motorhome staff evacuated drivers, guests, team members, and journalists due to the situation.

Several fire engines attended the scene, and firemen rushed into the motorhome with hoses to attend to the fire. The thick smell of smoke lingered in the air as the emergency services managed the situation.