Fire mars Maldonano’s Spanish Grand Prix win

BARCELONA, Spain - Pastor Maldonado held off Fernando Alonso to win the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, though Williams’ first Formula One victory for eight years was marred by a fire that broke out in the team’s garage, injuring 31 people.

Maldonado, starting from pole position, held his nerve as he withstood the challenge of Ferrari’s Spanish driver to take the 66-lap race at the Catalunya Circuit by 3.1 seconds and give F1 its fifth different race winner of a so far unpredictable season.

Maldonado’s victory provided icing on the cake for Frank Williams as the team celebrated its longtime team principal’s 70th birthday this weekend. Williams’ celebration speech, however, was cut short after a fire broke out after the race, with the longtime team principal having to be led away from the garage when the fire broke out. One person was airlifted to hospital with severe burn wounds while five more were treated at a local hospital.

Maldonado become the sport’s first Venezuelan winner, while Williams’ 114th triumph was its first since the 2004 Brazilian GP.

AP