V8 Supercars driver has lucky escape from blazing inferno

V8 Supercar James Courtney had a lucky escape on Saturday as his Ford Mustang went up in flames and was engulfed by a fireball while in the pit-lane at Albert Park.

Flames became visible on the Tickford Racing entry's front left wheel as Courtney rounded the final two turns in Melbourne in a bid to nurse the car back to the pit-lane.

The 42-year-old made it back just in time, as the car was engulfed by a huge fire as soon he made back to the pits, with dense black smoke billowing from his Ford Mustang.

As the pit crew rushed to his help with fire extinguishers, Courtney managed to swiftly get out of the car and cut a surprisingly nonchalant figure when he spoke to Fox Motorsport afterward. 

'I saw the flames and said to the guys I could smell something from the front left corner,' he said.

James Courtney's Ford Mustang caught fire at Albert Park on Saturday, shortly after he returned to the pit lane after smelling smoke 

Pit crew and fire marshals rushed in to rescue Courtney after his car disappeared into a cloud of thick black smoke after he returned to the pits

'Then I could see the flames. I just tried to get to the pits. They've got all the fire stuff to try and save the car.'

The incident came just a day after Nick Percat's Ford Mustang suffered the same fate during Friday's Supersprint race.

The fire on Percat's car also appeared to originate close to the front left wheel, which Courtney suggested pointed to a major problem on the Ford. 

'Probably similar to what happened to Nick [Percat],' he said.

'Seems like it's the same spot. It's not good.'

The V8 Supercars veteran had a lucky escape at Albert Park on Saturday, managing to get out of his car before it was completely engulfed by flames

Courtney revealed he just tried to nurse the car back to the pit lane after smelling smoke

Speaking after the fire forced him to retire on Friday, Percat revealed he was shocked when he realised his car was on fire.

'I know what I have on clothing wise I'm going to be safe, I don't know what happened,' Percat told Fox Sports.

'I thought I could smell something down the back straight, maybe the exhaust or something.

'Next thing I'm like "Oh my god I'm on fire".'