Inferno mars Williams’ first win for eight years
WILLIAMS’ first win in Formula One since 2004 was tainted yesterday after an horrific petrol fire at the Spanish Grand Prix left dozens of people requiring treatment.
A superb drive by Pastor Maldonado ended in his first ever victory at this level, yet soon after the celebrations a fuel explosion ripped through the Williams garage and also affected the adjacent pits. Governing body the FIA said 31 people were treated.
“Four team personnel were injured in the incident and subsequently taken to the medical centre,” Williams said in a statement. “Three are now receiving treatment at local hospitals for their injuries, while the fourth has been released.”
Caterham said three of the team’s staff had suffered respiratory problems while a fourth was treated for a minor hand injury. Force India also said that a member of its team had been treated for smoke inhalation, yet tweeted: “Our guy is OK on the whole”.
Maldonado continued his heroics by carrying his young cousin away from the flames. He had earlier held off pressure from Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso to top the podium. Lotus’s Kimi Raikkonen was restricted to third, despite setting several fastest lap times towards the end of the race.
McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton finished one place ahead of team-mate and compatriot Jenson Button, having clawed his way up from the back of the grid. Hamilton started in last place after McLaren were punished for running out of fuel during qualifying.
“We did a good job to come all the way from the back, we battled through and conserving the tyres was tough,” Hamilton said. “It was like being back in the karting days.”
Hamilton is third in the drivers’ championship, eight points off leader Sebastian Vettel who came in sixth.
SPANISH GRAND PRIX
Results
1. P Maldonado (Williams) 1h39m09s
2. F Alonso (Ferrari) 1:39:12
3. K Raikkonen (Lotus) 1:39:13
4. R Grosjean (Lotus) 1:39:23
Standings
1. S Vettel (Red Bull) 61 points
2. F Alonso (Ferrari) 61 points
3. L Hamilton (McLaren) 53 points
4. K Raikkonen (Lotus) 49 points