A fire incident at the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday led to the evacuation of the McLaren Formula 1 team's hospitality suite in Montmeló, Spain. The team reported that one member was taken to a hospital as a precautionary measure. Additionally, two firefighters from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya were treated for smoke inhalation and later released.
Although no visible damage was observed from the exterior, smoke was seen billowing out of the McLaren suite, which was situated among other team suites. Spanish firefighters promptly responded to the scene, attributing the fire's origin to the kitchen area within the suite. Authorities confirmed that the fire was not caused by an electrical malfunction and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Hospitality suites at the Grand Prix serve as temporary structures housing catering facilities and meeting rooms for team members and guests. The fire occurred just before McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were scheduled to participate in the final practice session. Despite the disruption, Norris went on to secure pole position in the subsequent qualifying session, narrowly edging out points leader Max Verstappen.
McLaren expressed gratitude towards Formula 1, the FIA, and fellow competitors for their offers of assistance to the team and its guests during the challenging situation. The incident did not impact the team's performance on the track, with McLaren continuing to compete at the Spanish Grand Prix.
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