Following disruptions caused by grass fires during the second practice session at the Japanese Grand Prix, the FIA has implemented preventative measures.
Two separate fires erupted on Friday, triggered by sparks from Formula 1 cars igniting dry grass, leading to red flags.
In the practice session, Oscar Piastri outpaced his McLaren teammate Lando Norris, securing a one-two finish amidst the interruptions.
The FIA stated, `While investigating the FP2 fires, our immediate priority is pre-emptive action for tomorrow. Grass in affected areas has been cut shorter and dried clippings removed. Before tomorrow`s sessions, the grass will be watered, and dedicated response teams will be positioned around the track.`
Grass fires also occurred during practice at last year`s Chinese Grand Prix. However, the FIA`s subsequent actions ensured no further fires for the rest of that weekend.
Suzuka`s conditions for the final practice at 3.30am and qualifying at 7am on Saturday are expected to mirror Friday`s weather.
Despite mild temperatures, the dry grass at Suzuka, combined with cars sparking due to low ground clearance, appears to be the cause of the fires. Modern F1 cars achieve optimal performance when running very close to the track surface.
Sunday`s race forecast predicts rain leading up to the 6am start. Ted Kravitz suggests that even in dry conditions, race sparks are less likely to cause fires due to lower speeds, potentially preventing Grand Prix interruptions. He proposed circuit organizers might need to thoroughly water the track perimeter.
