F2 car bursts into flames as Madrid track debuts

A Formula 2 car burst into flames as danger concerns stalked the first running of the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.

The high-speed street venue on the outskirts of the capital, which is surrounded by concrete walls, is making its Formula 1 debut this weekend.

Speaking at the Madring on Thursday, Mercedes' George Russell described the venue as the "most risky" on the calendar.

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And in practice for F2, the feeder series to F1, Thai driver Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak's car caught fire after he crashed into the barriers at Turn 19.

Inthraphuvasak escaped without injury after he leapt out of his burning car. But the session was red-flagged as the marshals arrived on the scene and extinguished the flames.

First practice for the 14th round of the season gets under way at 1.30 p.m. local time (12.30 p.m. BST).