Grand Prix horror: The moment 16 were injured when fire broke out in victorious Williams team's garage after Spanish race

 

 Maldonado also had to play hero, giving his cousin Manuel - whose right leg was in a cast - a piggy back away from the flames

The Spanish Grand Prix was thrown into chaos last night when 16 people were injured in a team garage blaze.

Flames took over the Williams pit stand just moments after Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado had taken the Barcelona title - in doing so scooping the first grand prix win for the British-based team in eight years.

One Williams employee was airlifted to Barcelona hospital with serious burn wounds while five others were taken to local hospital for smoke inhalation.

A further ten people were treated at the Catalunya Circuit for smoke inhalation before being released.

The fire is thought to have been caused by an electrical fault with Maldonado's teammate Bruno Senna's car, which was in the garage having crashed earlier in the race.

Flames spread quickly through the garage, sending thick plumes of black smoke out onto the circuit. Williams' wheelchair-bound founder Sir Frank Williams - celebrating his 70th birthday - had to be lifted to safety shortly after giving his victory speech.

Maldonado also had to play hero, giving his cousin Manuel - whose right leg was in a cast - a piggy back away from the flames.

Mechanics and circuit firefighters were quickly on the scene to put out the fire with an ambulance on the scene treating one person for what appeared to be smoke inhalation.

A Williams team statement reads: 'After today's Spanish Grand Prix a fire occurred in the team's garage which originated from the fuel area. Four team personnel were injured in the incident and subsequently taken to the medical centre.

'Three are now receiving treatment at local hospitals for their injuries, while the fourth has been released. The team will monitor their condition and ensure they receive the best possible care.

'The team, the fire services and the police are working together to determine the root cause of the fire. The Williams F1 Team would like to thank all of the teams and the FIA for their support in today's incident.'

F1 team Caterham said in a statement that four team employees were among those taken to the Catalunya Circuit medical center to be examined, one with a minor hand injury and three with respiratory issues.

o