Fire breaks out in McLaren F1 hospitality unit at Spanish Grand Prix

A fire broke out this morning at McLaren’s F1 hospitality unit at the Spanish Grand Prix – with all personnel escaping unharmed.

Fire engines sped through the paddock at 12:00 local time at the paddock in Barcelona after a fire was reported above the kitchen in McLaren’s hospitality unit.

Drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and a host of staff and guests, were quickly evacuated as smoke emerged from the building.

The fire was rapidly put out, with Pirelli’s head of F1 Mario Isola, a part-time paramedic, rushing to the scene with fire extinguishers.

A short McLaren statement following the incident read: “This morning a fire was detected in our trackside Team Hub.

“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.”

It is understood that it hasn’t impacted McLaren’s preparations for the third and final practice session, with all car equipment kept in the garage or motorhome.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown was seen outside the two-levelled suite as final practice started as scheduled.

Norris was quickest in the first practice session on Friday and will be confident of challenging Max Verstappen for pole position in qualifying on Saturday.