Scary moment AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly’s car bursts into FLAMES in the pit-lane in Singapore
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F1 driver’s car bursts into FLAMES in Singapore pit lane while sitting indoors – before quick-thinking mechanics from rival team Aston Martin intervene to put out the fire
- AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly had a lucky break during practice in Singapore
- His car caught fire after he entered the pitlane in a terrifying moment
- Gasly was still in the cockpit before quickly removing himself from the seat
- Aston Martin technicians responded quickly and helped put out the fire
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Pierre Gasly’s car caught fire during… practice for the Singapore Grand Prix while the AlphaTauri driver was still in the cockpit.
Gasly seemed 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 could escape the cockpit for safety, close by Aston Martin mechanics responded to put out the fire when he removed himself from the car.
There was a lot of confusion in the AlphaTauri garage about how Gasly’s car had suddenly caught fire.
Gasly did reappear to complete the second practice session, but ahead of Saturday’s qualifying there are mounting concerns about the safety of the Frenchman’s car.
Pierre Gasly’s AlphaTauri car caught fire in Singapore when its airbox caught fire
Aston Martin technicians were on hand to quickly put out the flames with a fire extinguisher
The airbox behind Gasly’s head caught fire, but he escaped unharmed
The French driver was concerned about the shocking fire when he analyzed 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 is arranged. A piece of tape has come out over the fire-damaged hood.
“The team tells me that the fire started when the fuel breather was connected to the car, but it was quickly extinguished and it will then be back on the track.”
Footage showed Gasly entering the pit lane before his hoop went up in flames, just as the Frenchman’s AlphaTauri was rolled into the garage.
After some quick thought, Gasly jumped out – although it was unclear why his car was spewing flames.
The AlphaTauri team had no indication it would catch fire before it was extinguished with the help of an Aston Martin mechanic.
Gasly was able to return and complete his second practice for Sunday’s Grand Prix
Meanwhile, the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend is Max Verstappen’s first chance to win a second world title
As things stand, four drivers remain mathematically in the battle for the world title: Verstappen, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Mercedes’ George Russell.
Verstappen has a 116-point lead over Leclerc, a 125-point lead over Perez and a 132-point lead over Russell.
It is inevitable that Verstappen will make his way to world title No. 2, but if he can pull it off – albeit against all odds – in Singapore it would be the earliest finish of a season in 20 years.
Max Verstappen has the chance to claim the earliest F1 championship in the past 20 years