During the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix, an unexpected event highlighted the spirit of solidarity among Formula 1 teams. The McLaren team’s motorhome had caught fire just before their third free practice session, forcing the team to relocate their premises. The fire had quickly spread from the kitchen, threatening the entire structure before being brought under control by the firefighters.
This week, after calm was restored, McLaren sent a thank you note and cakes to the teams that helped the team during and after the incident.
The fire in Spain.
This incident, which occurred on June 22, allegedly started in the kitchen of the McLaren reception center, causing significant damage and requiring a swift evacuation of the team and guests.
Fortunately, thanks to the quick intervention of the firefighters, no one was injured.
As on every race weekend, teams set up their motorhomes in the paddock to welcome members and their guests. Although these facilities are equipped with security devices, an incident like this can still occur. After the incident, Zak Brown took advantage of the press conferences to highlight the solidarity shown by the other Formula 1 teams, also thanking the marshals and rescue teams on their social media platforms.
To express its gratitude to those who helped McLaren during this incident, the team sent a thank you package to several teams before the British Grand Prix. Mercedes and Haas received a box of cookies shaped like fire extinguishers, accompanied by a letter from Zak Brown, McLaren’s director. This gesture was widely shared on social media, especially on the official accounts of Mercedes and Haas on X, where the team expressed their appreciation for this gesture.
“The spirit of F1. The fiercest competition on track, and the strongest community off it…” ✍️
Thank you @McLarenF1 ? pic.twitter.com/Mc0ZPPBR0B
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) July 6, 2024
❤️ You’re always welcome to our house @McLarenF1 ? pic.twitter.com/6EViTFP9pd
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) July 6, 2024
In his thank you letter, Zak Brown congratulates the teams for their help during the incident. To the Mercedes/Haas team, a big thank you for your offer of assistance to our team and our guests during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. Your help was greatly appreciated and is an excellent example of the spirit of Formula 1. The fiercest competition on the track and the strongest community outside of it, he writes. This recognition underlines the spirit of solidarity that can prevail outside of races, despite the intense competition that characterizes Formula 1. Although teams are rivals on the track, they know how to support each other when needed.
Despite being shared only between the German and American teams, there is no doubt that this package was sent to other teams in the paddock. This story shows that despite the rivalry in this sport, teams are willing to support each other to ensure safety and good relations within the big family that is Formula 1.
