The Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo, home of the Argentine Grand Prix, has suffered extensive damage overnight after a major fire broke out in the pit building.
The circuit have confirmed that the fire, which started in the track’s main building, has destroyed the garage complex, media centre, TV broadcast booths, VIP are and race control, leaving the facility an almost complete loss.
The fire was first reported just before 11pm local time, with rescuers responding from a number of nearby stations due to the severity of the blaze.
The circuit’s museum collection, which was also believed to be at risk, has been saved.
AHORA | Fuerte incendio en el Autódromo de Termas de Río Hondo. Trabajan varias dotaciones de bomberos. Zona de VIP, sala de prensa, cabinas de transmisión y todo el sector boxes. Intentan que no llegue el fuego al Museo Juan Manuel Fangio. Tristes imágenes llegan desde el lugar pic.twitter.com/0gz9XX2LtX
— Leonardo Regueira (@RegueiraLeo) February 6, 2021
Speaking in a statement released this morning, circuit director Hector Farina said that the news could have been much worse.
“The racetrack has full insurance against fire, so the issue of economic damage is covered in that sense, but it will surely take a long time to rebuild that important area necessary for national and international competitions.
“Thank God there were no victims to mourn, and we want to thank all those who collaborated in this accident that generated moments of great danger due to the wind that ate.
“Thank you very much to different firefighters endowments, police officers, municipal staff, racetrack workers.
“They did everything they could to prevent further damage. We will work from now on to do everything possible to comply with the schedules we have planned, including the MotoGP in November.”
Termas de Rio Hondo first hosted MotoGP in 2014, when the series returned to Argentina for the first time since 1999.
Last year’s race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, and 2021’s remains officially postponed but was not expected to be held again until 2022 even before the fire broke out.
