Carlos Sainz’s Car Catches Fire Before Start of Austrian GP
The 2023 Austrian Grand Prix was marred by a shocking incident as Carlos Sainz’s Williams car caught fire during the formation lap, forcing the Spanish driver to retire from the race even before it got underway. The incident occurred at the Red Bull Ring, where Sainz was set to start from the 14th position. However, his hopes of a strong finish were dashed as his car developed a mechanical problem, resulting in a fire that race officials had to quickly respond to.
The incident unfolded as the drivers were completing their formation lap, with the cars lined up on the starting grid. Sainz’s car suddenly stopped on the track, with flames licking at the side of the vehicle. The marshals were immediately summoned to the scene, and the start of the race was aborted as a precaution.
The footage of the incident, captured on video, shows Sainz’s car slowly coming to a halt, with the flames spreading rapidly. The Williams team quickly rushed to the scene, with their mechanics attempting to put out the fire. However, it was clear that the damage was too extensive, and Sainz was forced to retire from the race before it even got underway.
The incident has left Sainz and the Williams team reeling, with the team’s technical director, Xavier Chipell, describing the incident as “very disappointing”. “We are still investigating the cause of the fire, but it’s clear that it was a serious mechanical failure,” Chipell said. “Carlos is devastated, as he was looking forward to a strong finish today. We will do everything we can to get to the bottom of this incident and ensure that it doesn’t happen again.”
Sainz himself was visibly shaken by the incident, saying that he was “worried about the safety of the people around me” when the fire broke out. “It’s a shame, as I was feeling good about the car and the pace we had today,” he said. “But safety is the most important thing, and I’m just glad that no one was hurt.”
The incident has also raised questions about the reliability of the Williams car, which has been plagued by mechanical issues throughout the season. The team has struggled to keep up with the pace of the leading teams, and this latest incident has only added to their woes.
The Austrian Grand Prix was eventually restarted, with the remaining drivers taking to the track for a shortened 55-lap race. However, the incident will undoubtedly cast a shadow over the event, and will be a major concern for the Williams team as they look to improve their performance in the second half of the season.
In the end, it was a disappointing day for Sainz and the Williams team, who were forced to watch from the sidelines as the race unfolded without them. While the incident was a serious setback, it is clear that the team will be working hard to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
