Video: Formula one diver Kevin Magnussen's car catches fire during practice

  • 30/09/2016
Kevin Magnussen Car (Getty Images)
Kevin Magnussen Car (Getty Images)

The first practice session of the Malaysian Grand Prix had to be red-flagged after Kevin Magnussen's Renault car caught fire following a fuel leak.

The Dane had just completed his first installation lap and was being pushed back into the garage when flames erupted from the fuel breather.

Magnussen was in the car as the flames came to life and had to be pulled out to escape the fire as fuel continued to leak.

Members of the Renault team connected a tank to the car to drain the fuel. The flames did re-ignite two more times but crew members were on stand-by with fire extinguishers.

Renault technical director Nick Chester believes the incident was due to a build up of pressure within the fuel tank.

Video: Formula one diver Kevin Magnussen's car catches fire during practice

Renault crew try to contain the flames while more crew attempt to drain the fuel (Getty Images)

"We had a fuel leak from a breather," Chester said. "It looks like the tank pressurised, but we will investigate. We were running the tank full and we were running some experimental parts really in preparation for Mexico, so different set-up to the other [Jolyon Palmer's] car.

"Everyone's okay, that's the main thing. Fortunately the car doesn't seem to be too badly damaged so we'll try and get it out for P2. There is obviously a fair bit of work to do, and a fair bit to clean, but we'll try to get him out for as much of the session as we can."

The fire took 10 minutes to contain before practice could resume.

Video: Formula one diver Kevin Magnussen's car catches fire during practice

(Getty Images)

Nico Rosberg finished first overall in the time trial with Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen rounding out the top three.

Newshub.