Maldonado heroic in blaze
Wins in Spain just before his team’s garage is engulfed
BARCELONA — Pastor Maldonado became the first Venezuelan to win a Formula One race by triumphing at the Spanish Grand Prix Sunday before going on to play a heroic role in a dramatic blaze in his Williams team’s garage.
Maldonado’s win was also the team’s first victory since the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix and came on the weekend of team founder Sir Frank Williams’s 70th birthday. But on a dramatic day for the Venezuelan driver, he was later pictured on Twitter carrying his young cousin to safety after the team garage was engulfed by flames.
A total of 16 people were injured, one with severe burns, when the fire — believed to have been caused by an electrical fault in a fuel rig — broke out.
Maldonado carried his 12-year-old cousin Manuel, who was wearing a boot on a broken right foot, to safety as thick, black smoke billowed.
“A fire occurred in the team’s garage which originated from the fuel area,” said a Williams team statement.
“Four team personnel were injured 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 and an update statement will be released in due course.”
One person was airlifted to hospital with serious burns, while five others were taken to a local hospital with smoke inhalation. Ten more were treated at the circuit’s medical centre.
The Caterham team said four of their mechanics were among those taken to the medical centre, one with a minor hand injury and three for smoke inhalation.
On the track, Maldonado held off a challenge by two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Ferrari to win.
“It’s a wonderful day for me and the team. An unforgettable race,” said Maldonado, who was hoisted onto the shoulders of Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen, who finished third, when the drivers appeared on the podium.
Driving with huge self-control, the Venezuelan produced a flawless race for the Williams team, delivering their first win since Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya won in Brazil eight years ago.
Maldonado had also become the first driver from his country to take a pole position when he was elevated from second place on the grid on Saturday evening, following Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification for fuel irregularities.
Maldonado drove with great composure in the closing stages to make the most of his team’s clever strategy by holding off two-time champion and local hero Alonso.
“After last year, we have worked and worked, and pushed so hard, and I knew this was going to be a tough race, but to have my first podium and my first win — you can just imagine the emotions,” said the winner.