McLaren hopes its motorhome is not a write-off

F1 Grand Prix, GP Spain, Circuit de Catalunya

McLaren hopes that its Team Hub that has sustained serious damage due to fire on Saturday is not a write-off and can be repaired before the summer break.

On Saturday morning, fire was detected in McLaren’s motorhome shortly before Free Practice 3 of the Spanish Grand Prix. The Team Hub had to be evacuated with fire services having arrived on the scene shortly after 12.00.

McLaren's Lando Norris was among those evacuated as the blaze broke out. The Briton suggested that the motorhome might have sustained irreparable damage, but McLaren has now stated that they hope that the Team Hub can return in full operation before the summer break.

After the incident, the drivers were relocated in a room inside one of the team's trucks that is used as an engineering room.

It has also emerged that McLaren CEO Zak Brown has been offered the use of FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem's office in the FIA motorhome.

For this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, the Woking-based outfit will need to source a motorhome to complete the weekend.

A statement from McLaren read: "Team Hub was evacuated of all staff and guests and circuit emergency services attended the scene within minutes. The circuit emergency services and local fire department have since extinguished the fire.

"One McLaren team member has been taken to hospital as a precaution, and all McLaren personnel and guests are accounted for.

"We would like to thank all the marshals and emergency services for their quick and professional response. We would also like to thank Formula 1, the FIA and our competitors who have offered to help our team and guests this weekend."

A team member had to be transferred to hospital as a precaution after the incident. However, he was released from the hospital on Saturday evening.

The Woking-based outfit noted: "McLaren team member who had been taken to hospital for review has now been discharged. Our thanks go to the circuit and hospital medical staff for their care and support."