Pitlane fire stops Malaysian GP practice session

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:56 p.m. ET

foxsports

SEPANG, Malaysia (AP) The opening Friday practice session for the Malaysian Grand Prix was red-flagged after the Renault car of Kevin Magnussen erupted in flames in pit lane and took several minutes to control.

Magnussen made a regulation stop outside the team garage when flames took hold at the top of the fuel tank, and he was forced to hurriedly spring from the front of the car as team mechanics and track marshals tried to extinguish the fire.

However the fire continually reignited as fuel constantly pumped out of a rupture at the crest of the bodywork, behind the on-board camera, with new eruptions of flames lasting for several minutes.

After the team managed to drain the tank, the fire was finally brought under control and the session resumed after the 15-minute suspension.