F1 driver’s car bursts into FLAMES in the pit lane in Singapore while he’s sitting inside – before quick-thinking mechanics from rival team Aston Martin step in to extinguish the fire
- AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly had his car burst into flames while he was inside
- His car burst into flames after he entered the pit-lane in a terrifying moment
- Gasly was still sat in the cock-pit before quickly removing himself from the seat
- Rival Aston Martin mechanics reacted quickly and helped to extinguish the fire
Pierre Gasly’s car shockingly burst into flames during practice for the Singapore Grand Prix while the AlphaTauri driver was still in the cockpit.
Gasly appeared relaxed as he returned to the pit-lane but there was soon real concern for his safety when the airbox, placed behind his head, caught fire.
Before Gasly was able to escape the cockpit for safety, nearby Aston Martin mechanics reacted to extinguish the fire as he removed himself from the car.
There was a great deal of confusion in the AlphaTauri garage as to how Gasly’s car had suddenly burst into flames.
Gasly did re-emerge to complete the second practice session, but ahead of qualifying on Saturday there is growing concern around the safety of the Frenchman’s car.
Pierre Gasly’s AlphaTauri car burst into flames in Singapore when his airbox caught fire
Aston Martin mechanics were on hand to quickly put out the flames with a fire extinguisher
The airbox behind Gasly’s head caught fire but he was able to escape the car unharmed
The French driver was concerned at the shocking fire as he analysed the incident in the garage
Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz spoke to AlphaTauri after the session to shed light on how the fire started.
He said: ‘Everything’s been sorted out. There’s been a bit of tape that’s been out over the fire damaged engine cover.
‘The team are telling me the fire started when the fuel breather was connected to the car but it was put out quickly and then he’s going back out on the circuit.’
There is always major concern for Formula One drivers when cars burst into flames.
Fans can still remember the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix when former Haas driver Roman Grosjean was engulfed in a fireball following a crash.
Grosjean crashed into a metal barrier, causing an explosive fireball which he miraculously escaped from with burns.
His Haas car was sliced in half after penetrating the barrier and caught fire while he was trapped inside for 27 seconds.
Gasly’s fire was more manageable and was put out quickly by a rival team, leaving the Frenchman unharmed as attention now turns to qualifying on Saturday and then the race on Sunday.
Gasly was able to return and complete his second practice ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix
Meanwhile, this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix is the first chance for Max Verstappen to clinch a second world title
As things stand four drivers mathematically speaking remain in contention for the world title: Verstappen, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Mercedes’ George Russell.
Verstappen holds a 116-point lead over Leclerc, a 125-point lead over Perez and a 132-point lead over Russell.
There is an inevitability that Verstappen will coast his way to world title No 2 but if he can pull it off – albeit against the odds – in Singapore, it would be the earliest finish to a season in 20 years.
Max Verstappen has a chance to claim the earliest F1 championship in the last 20 years
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