Formula One: Williams celebrations up in smoke after garage fire

PASTOR Maldonado turned from grand prix winner to hero as Williams’ celebrations for his debut victory went up in flames.

Just 90 minutes after being hoisted up on the shoulders of rivals Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen on the podium, having taken the chequered flag in the Spanish Grand Prix, Maldonado was forced to carry 12-year-old cousin Manuel to safety as a fire gutted the Williams garage.

As team founder Sir Frank Williams was delivering a victory speech, an electrical fault with the fuel rig is believed to have caused a fire that rapidly engulfed the garage.

Within seconds, clouds of black smoke were seen billowing above the paddock and track.

As for Maldonado, with his cousin holding the winner’s trophy and wearing a protective boot on a broken right foot, the triumphant driver gave him a piggy back out of the garage and down the pit lane.

Williams mechanics were joined in their battle to beat the fire by personnel from other teams, notably Caterham and Force India in the neighbouring garages. It took 20 minutes to bring it under control.

The FIA said in a statement that a total of 31 team members had been seen by circuit medical centre staff, the majority for smoke inhalation, and 24 released.

However, seven were transferred to local hospitals where they are receiving treatment.

A Williams statement read: “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 fo