Spanish GP: Fire in the McLaren F1 reception center

BARCELONA, Spain — The McLaren Formula 1 visitor center at the Circuit de Catalunya has been evacuated after a fire broke out Saturday morning.

The fire, which broke out a few moments before the start of the last practice session of the week, was quickly brought under control by the circuit's firefighters.

Mario Isola, boss of F1 tire supplier Pirelli and a volunteer firefighter in Italy, also rushed into the reception unit with a fire extinguisher in hand.

A statement from McLaren said: “This morning we evacuated our reception unit from the Team Hub paddock following a fire alarm, the team was safely evacuated while the local fire service dealt with the problem.”

This is believed to be an electrical fire between two floors of the building, although there is no confirmation yet.

The final practice session took place without delay, with the fire confined to the paddock which extends behind the pit lane complex.

McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, evacuated from the facilities, took part in the session.

During the evacuation of the reception center, a McLaren employee was seen exiting the unit with Norris and Piastri's racing suits in hand.

Both drivers were on track at the start of the session.