McLaren’s hospitality suite at the Spanish Grand Prix has been evacuated after a fire broke out ahead of final practice.
Firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after midday local time as smoke billowed from the building at the Circuit de Catalunya outside Barcelona.
According to PA News Agency, Lando Norris was among those evacuated when the fire broke out just as the third practice session was scheduled to begin.
A McLaren spokesperson confirmed that all team members had been safely evacuated.
Fire breaks out in McLaren hospitality ahead of final Spanish Grand Prix practice
A short statement read: “This morning we evacuated our reception unit from the Team Hub paddock following a fire alarm, the team was safely evacuated while local firefighters dealt with the issue.”
Sky Sports News It appears at least two firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation, but their conditions are not considered serious.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown was seen outside the split-level suite as final testing began as planned.
Brookes: We could smell the smoke from the TV complex
Sky Sports F1’s Rachel Brookes at McLaren:
“I just spoke to someone from the team who was in the kitchen and they say the smoke was coming from between floors, which is why it was difficult to put out. They think it was electrical.
“Smoke descended into the hotel which was occupied by media and guests.
“The drivers’ rooms are on the ground floor, so they have to collect their helmets and racing suits, unless they have spares for final practice.
“Everyone at McLaren came out OK, but a few firefighters were taken away with oxygen masks.
“We could smell the smoke coming from the TV speaker, which is quite far away.”
“The firefighters quickly arrived on site”
Sky Sports’ James Galloway in Barcelona:
“Firefighters quickly arrived on scene in the paddock and were seen with hoses entering the accommodation unit, which was evacuated after the fire started.
“The Barcelona-Catalunya circuit is still very busy, but the authorities have cleared a central path in the middle of the paddock so that emergency vehicles can easily pass through to get to the McLaren unit and the incident at hand. “
