McLaren hospitality suite fire

McLaren hospitality suite evacuated at Spanish GP after fire breaks out

by with No Comment News

A fire broke out at the McLaren hospitality suite in the Barcelona paddock shortly before Practice Three of the Spanish GP. It is understood that a least two fire staff personnel were treated for smoke inhalation.

The McLaren team endured a scare at the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday morning when what is believed to be an electrical fire broke out in their motorhome, causing it to be evacuated. The fire brigade was brought into the paddock to deal with it and it is understood several people were taken for treatment due to smoke inhalation.

“One McLaren team member has been taken to hospital as a precaution, and all McLaren personnel and guests are accounted for,” McLaren said later.

An hour before the final practice session began in Barcelona, with the team’s hospitality suite hosting guests, team members and drivers, the fire broke out in the unit that has two floors, reportedly above the kitchen, which is located on the ground floor.

The lights went out and everyone was ushered out, including the British driver Lando Norris and his Australian teammate, Oscar Piastri.

The fire brigade was summoned into the paddock, with personnel from other teams acting swiftly to clear the way for the emergency services. The firefighters entered the hub with hoses to deal with the fire, while ambulances also arrived, although it is believed there were no serious injuries.

Much of the drivers’ equipment is kept in the motorhome, including their race suits but the team were able to continue with the final practice session with both drivers taking to the track and the team running as planned.

Spain has suffered a fire in the paddock before when the Williams garage endured a serious blaze when fuel caught fire after Pastor Maldonado had won the race for the team here in 2012.

2012 Spanish Grand Prix

Famous Fires in Sport – Williams Garage 2012 Spanish Grand Prix

by with No Comment Famous Fires in Sport

The 2012 Spanish Grand Prix is a race that will never be forgotten, not only for the thrilling race on the Circuit de Catalunya but also for the unexpected and dramatic turn of events that followed. Pastor Maldonado’s surprising win for the Williams team was overshadowed by a fire that erupted in the team’s garage post-race, leaving the paddock in chaos and sparking a controversy that would linger for years to come.

The Spanish Grand Prix

The race was a spectacle, with the typical strategic battles and wheel-to-wheel action on the track. However, the Venezuelan driver, Pastor Maldonado, stole the show by securing his first-ever Formula 1 victory. The win marked a historic moment for Maldonado and the Williams team, breaking a long-standing drought since their last triumph.

2012 Spanish Grand Prix

The Garage Fire

About 90 minutes after the race, the Williams garage caught fire. Pit crews from the Williams, Force India and Caterham teams were able to bring the blaze under control. Thirty-one people were injured, with seven transferred to local hospitals. All were later released. 

Teams were reported as lending replacement equipment to Williams for the Monaco Grand Prix. Maldonado rescued his twelve-year-old cousin Manuel from the fire, as he had a broken foot. The sight of flames engulfing the garage sent shockwaves through the paddock. This raised questions about the safety protocols in place, and the team modified its fuel handling safety procedures for the next race accordingly. This cast a shadow over the miraculous victory.

Investigations and Findings

In the aftermath of the incident, Formula 1 authorities launched an investigation into the garage fire. The focus was on determining the cause of the blaze and whether any foul play was involved. Early reports suggested that the fire was caused by fuel that exploded while being prepared for a routine post-race inspection. 

Photographs taken at the scene showed Senna’s car as the source of the fire, which started when a fuel rig used to drain the car began leaking. Other reports suggested that a spark from the KERS unit initiated the blaze. Senna’s FW34 car was damaged as a result; Maldonado’s car was not in the garage at the time. This led to heightened scrutiny of safety measures within the sport.

Conspiracy Theories

Amazing achievements that defy simple explanations give rise to conspiracy rumours. Maldonado’s victory in the Spanish Grand Prix is a prime example of this.

The reason for the surprise was not the team’s victory after a protracted losing streak or their poor performance over many seasons but, because it was precisely in commemoration of the seventieth anniversary of Sir Frank Williams, founder and owner of the team and great friend of the Formula One boss, Bernie Ecclestone.

To put an end to anyone who might be doubting the existence of fortunate coincidences, a fire broke out in Williams’ garage at The Circuit of Catalunya shortly after the race.

“Anyone who believes that the Williams car all of a sudden, can win a Grand Prix without anything wrong is acting, he must also believe in Santa Claus. I doubt they can repeat the feat in the remaining 13 championship races. At the maximum, they will make some points characteristic of teams vying for midfield …”

“This is proof of how Ecclestone enriched with the bookmakers in England, he controls the outcome of this circus … He wanted to please his old friend honouring him with a victory of his bankrupted team … Must have sent Pirelli a message to deliver “special tyres” for Williams put on Maldonado’s car, or have advised the team to use some technical advantage outside the regulations as increase the 18,000 rpm allowed, and after sent their own mechanics to burn the garage to erase the traces or evidence of the wrongdoing … “

People made links between the fire and the miraculous win saying that the fire was to cover up and destroy any evidence that led to them winning the race. These claims are very extraordinary with many people getting injured in the fire. If anything like that were to have happened it would of been very inhumane. But in the world of social media, these conspiracies spread and are still talked about to this day.

Conclusion

The 2012 Spanish Grand Prix will forever be remembered not only for Maldonado’s surprising win but also for the controversies and chaos that ensued. While the conspiracy theories surrounding the victory may have added an extra layer of drama to the race, the garage fire highlighted the importance of stringent safety measures within the high-stakes world of Formula 1. The incident sparked conversations about the need for improved safety protocols. Ensuring that such events remain a rare occurrence in the future of the sport. As conspiracies still loom large over this race and Maldonado’s win, it will always be remembered and will forever go down in Formula 1 history.

Image Sources for Famous Fires in Sport – Williams Garage 2012 Spanish Grand Prix

Maldonado I Feared – Image 1 – link

Where is Maldonado Now – Image 2 – link

1994 German Grand Prix

Famous Fires in Sport – Jos Verstappen 1994 German Grand Prix

by with No Comment Famous Fires in Sport

The world of Formula 1 has witnessed its fair share of dramatic moments throughout its rich history. One such incident that left an incredible mark on the sport occurred during the 1994 German Grand Prix. The race at Hockenheimring not only showcased the speed and skill of the drivers but also highlighted the inherent dangers of motor racing. This accident showed the world of motorsport the dangers behind refuelling and what could happen if something went wrong.

Background Behind the 1994 German Grand Prix

The 1994 Formula 1 season was plagued by tragedy, with the death of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at Imola earlier in the year. Safety concerns were at the forefront of everyone’s minds, prompting a closer look at the sport’s regulations and the design of the cars. The 1994 German Grand Prix was to take place on July 31st 1994. This German Grand Prix would then go on to remind the world that danger still loomed on the track.

The Incident

Jos Verstappen, (father of current Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen) was behind the wheel of the Benetton-Ford when the incident occurred. During a routine pit stop on lap 18, the fuel nozzle malfunctioned, causing a spray of highly flammable fuel onto the car. In a matter of seconds, Verstappen’s car became engulfed in flames. This was due to the heat of the car igniting the spilled fuel.

Chaos ensued as the Benetton crew and nearby marshals rushed to extinguish the fire. The severity of the situation was evident, and the fear for Verstappen’s safety gripped both the pit crew and spectators alike. Miraculously, Verstappen managed to escape the inferno, suffering only minor burns on his nose and right foot.

When interviewed about the incident Jos Verstappen said this –

“I remember coming in for what I thought was a regular pitstop. Sitting in the car, I would always open my visor because when I stood still I would sweat a lot, so as I came to a halt I opened my helmet to get some fresh air.”

“Then I saw the fluid coming. This was before I could smell anything, and that is why I was waving my arm. Then everything went up [in flames] and it was suddenly dark and black, and I couldn’t breathe. It was a situation you don’t normally think about: it is like you are suddenly put in a dark room, and then you think, ‘I need to get out..’”

“It was a struggle to get the steering wheel off, and that took me a couple of seconds. Then I had to release the belts. So there were a lot of things I had to do before I stood up and realised what had happened.”

Immediate Aftermath

The fire was put out within a matter of seconds, but there remained frantic scenes inside the Benetton garage as the team tried to get to grips with what had happened.

The Benetton crew even had to start getting ready for Schumacher’s second stop, before his retirement meant the focus could shift to treating the burns of those caught up in the fire.

Impact of the Event on Formula 1

The incident raised serious questions about the safety procedures in place during pit stops. Investigations revealed that a valve in the refuelling rig had failed, leading to the uncontrolled release of fuel. As a result, changes were implemented to improve the safety of pit stops, including modifications to the refuelling equipment and stricter regulations regarding fuel handling.

The Jos Verstappen fire incident at the 1994 German Grand Prix served as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in motor racing. While strides have been made to enhance safety in the sport, this incident underscored the need for constant vigilance and improvements in technology and regulations. 

In 2010, 16 years later, refueling was banned from Formula 1. This meant that cars would have to carry all the fuel for the whole race from the start. This came with safety concerns for the drivers. This rule could not be implemented before the 2010 season with the cars being too small to hold that much fuel. But along with the regulation changes in 2010 this allowed for the removal of refueling.

Conclusion

The 1994 German Grand Prix will forever be etched in Formula 1 history not just for the intense on-track battles but also for the terrifying incident involving Jos Verstappen. The resilience of both Verstappen and the sport as a whole was on display that day, prompting a renewed commitment to safety that continues to shape Formula 1 to this day.

Image Sources for Famous Fires in Sport – Jos Verstappen 1994 German Grand Prix

Photo 1 – Benetton Pit Fire (Germany 1994) – link

Photo 2 – From The Archives – link