A tense morning unfolded in the Barcelona F1 paddock on Saturday as a fire erupted in the McLaren team motorhome.
Ahead of the final free practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya, emergency services were called to the scene after reports of smoke and flames coming from the rear of the McLaren Team Hub.
Initial reports suggest the fire originated above the kitchen area, possibly due to electrical issues.
Team staff swiftly evacuated personnel, guests, media, and even drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who were spotted watching the situation unfold.
One of the first responders was Mario Isola, Pirelli's head of F1 and car racing, who also works part-time as a paramedic. Isola, alongside other Pirelli personnel, grabbed fire extinguishers to tackle the flames while awaiting the arrival of the circuit’s firefighters.
Crews quickly arrived and deployed hoses to extinguish the blaze. Ambulances were also on standby as a precaution.
The full extent of the damage and its consequences on the team’s preparations was unknown, with a quantity of driver and general equipment located inside the hospitality unit.
Fortunately, despite the disruption, team members and drivers were able to tackle FP3 in normal circumstances and with no significant delay.
"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 McLaren spokesman.
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