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F1 rival's heroic act helps Pierre Gasly in scary moment: 'What the hell'

Pierre Gasly (pictured left) jumped out of his AlphaTauri (picture right) as it caught on flames, which saw rival team Aston Martin also rush to help him during the Singapore GP. (Images: Getty Images/Autosport)
Pierre Gasly (pictured left) jumped out of his AlphaTauri (picture right) as it caught on flames, which saw rival team Aston Martin also rush to help him during the Singapore GP. (Images: Getty Images/Autosport)

The F1 world watched on in disbelief as driver Pierre Gasly's AlphaTauri car caught on fire during a routine pit stop as rival team Aston Martin jumped in to help extinguish the flame.

Drivers got underway for their practice laps ahead of the Singapore GP this weekend when Gasly pulled into the pit lane for a routine check.

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The Frenchman's car was being guided into the garage when all of a sudden his roll hoop burst into flames.

Gasly quickly jumped out of the AlphaTauir as his team rushed to help him.

However, it was the quick thinking of an Aston Martin mechanic to grab a fire extinguisher that helped put out the flames.

Gasly escaped uninjured and was even able to make a sly quip at the bizarre situation.

"It’s all part of the practice! Checking how strong the engine is in these hot conditions," the driver said.

"It wasn’t ideal, it got slightly hot, and when we connected the fuel breather it caught fire, but we could switch it off and restart again. So, just a bit of a barbecue feeling, but it was nothing too bad in the end.

"It’s just a procedure, and in these conditions it’s so warm – it’s nothing worrying or concerning for the rest of the weekend."

Gasly even returned to finish his practice session.

F1 world reacts to bizarre Pierre Gasly fire

While the Frenchman remained cool under pressure, the F1 world was in shock.

Many also praised the quick thinking of the rival mechanic to help out in the scary situation.

Pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz told Sky Sports the team had worked out the issue, which sparked the fire.

“Everything’s been sorted out. There’s been a bit of tape that’s been out over the fire damaged engine cover," he said.

“The team are telling me the fire started when the fuel breather was connected to the car but it was put out quickly and then he’s going back out on the circuit.”

Elsewhere in Singapore, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc led the way in Practice 2.

Sainz finished 0.2 second faster than his teammate in a promising signs for Ferrari in the hot and humid conditions.

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