Race winner and the man of the day Pastor Maldonado did not just score his maiden victory in the Spanish GP on Sunday, he also saved his cousin from the fire that engulfed the Williams garage after the race.
During the celebrations in the Williams garage, where Maldonado scored his first win of his career, a fuel canister behind a partition in the back of the pit garage exploded and sent billowing smoke and flames out into the pitlane area. Several people were injured, there are reports of a Force India team member who suffered burns and one had a couple of bruises, and the FIA reports that a total of 31 people have been injured in the incident, for various injuries.
But the man of the day was also a real life hero.
There were a lot of people at Williams today, congratulating the team´s first race win since 2004, and as Sir Frank Williams delivered a speech, the fire broke out. Pastor Maldonado resolutely took his 12-year old cousin, Manuel on his back and lifted the young man to safety.
The team issued a statement after the incident.
“After today’s Spanish Grand Prix a fire occurred in the team’s garage which originated from the fuel area. Four team personnel were injured in the incident and subsequently taken to the medical centre. Three are now receiving treatment at local hospitals for their injuries, while the fourth has been released.
“The team will monitor their condition and ensure they receive the best possible care. The team, the fire services and the police are working together to determine the root cause of the fire. The Williams F1 Team would like to thank all of the teams and the FIA for their support in today’s incident.”
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Race winner and the man of the day Pastor Maldonado did not just score his maiden victory in the Spanish GP on Sunday, he also saved his cousin from the fire that engulfed the Williams garage after the race.
During the celebrations in the Williams garage, where Maldonado scored his first win of his career, a fuel canister behind a partition in the back of the pit garage exploded and sent billowing smoke and flames out into the pitlane area. Several people were injured, there are reports of a Force India team member who suffered burns and one had a couple of bruises, and the FIA reports that a total of 31 people have been injured in the incident, for various injuries.
But the man of the day was also a real life hero.
The team issued a statement after the incident.
“After today’s Spanish Grand Prix a fire occurred in the team’s garage which originated from the fuel area. Four team personnel were injured in the incident and subsequently taken to the medical centre. Three are now receiving treatment at local hospitals for their injuries, while the fourth has been released.
“The team will monitor their condition and ensure they receive the best possible care. The team, the fire services and the police are working together to determine the root cause of the fire. The Williams F1 Team would like to thank all of the teams and the FIA for their support in today’s incident.”