Seven hospitalized in pit fire

The Williams teams celebrations on Sunday evening were marred by a pit lane fire that hospitalized seven people.

In total 31 people suffered injuries following the fire, with the cause of the blaze being speculated by the media.

The BBC have put fault on a Kers unit causing a fuel fire, but as yet the cause of the fire that took place in the Williams pit garage has not been confirmed.

The fire took hold, while the team members were celebrating Pastor Maldonado's victory and 31 people were treated by the track's medical unit, while 7 had to stay in hospital over night, with 3 of those people coming from the Williams team.

'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.' A Williams team spokesperson told the BBC.

Williams reserve driver Valtteri Bottas told the media: 'I was there when Frank Williams was giving his speech to everyone, I felt an explosion from behind, somewhere from the fuel area, and everyone ran out quickly.'

Dramatic video from Sky Sports and BBC showed members of practically every team joining in with attempts to try and control the blaze from the front of the garage and to the rear of the paddock.

Williams chief operations engineer Mark Gillan thanked everyone for their help during the incident: "On behalf of Williams, I'd like to thank all of the team members from other teams for their helped during the fire, We were overwhelmed by the support. It was really impressive. he told Autosport Magazine.

"Williams would like to say thanks to the teams, the FIA, FOM and all of those who came to help. It was a serious issue and I am very grateful indeed.

"What happened after a great result is very disappointing, but things were limited by the fast response of our team and everyone who helped."