The atmosphere at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend has been unexpectedly heated — no pun intended — with a series of grass fires disrupting the proceedings at Suzuka Circuit. These incidents, fueled by sparks from Formula 1 cars, have become a serious concern for the FIA as they gear up to ensure a safe and smooth race weekend.
During Friday's second practice session, known as FP2, the races came to an abrupt halt twice because fires ignited the dry turf around the track. It all started near Turn 8, and again later during the practice, hinting at the potentially combustible environment racing cars are up against. The root of the problem? Sparks from the titanium skid plates underneath these high-speed machines.
In light of this fiery dilemma, the FIA jumped into action with multiple preventive strategies. They’ve chopped down the grass to a brush cut, removed loose and dried vegetation, kept the at-risk areas damp, and for good measure, placed specialized response teams strategically around the circuit. These teams are equipped to fight fires at the drop of a hat, much like what was seen during last year’s Chinese Grand Prix under similar circumstances.
Adding a competitive twist to these challenges, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris excelled in FP2, setting the fastest times, while Mercedes showed promise, particularly through George Russell. As for the competition, both Mercedes and Ferrari encountered hurdles that kept them from taking the lead.
The weather forecast predicts the dry conditions will continue through Saturday, offering a consistent challenge regarding fire risks. However, there’s a silver lining for the actual race on Sunday as rain is expected, which might just be nature’s way of lending a hand. Sky Sports F1 expert Ted Kravitz speculates that the drizzle could reduce the risk of fires during Sunday’s main event.
The schedule continues with Practice Three starting at 3:30 AM BST, followed by a build-up to qualifying from 6:00 AM, and the qualifying session taking place at 7:00 AM. With the weather playing a game of will-it-won’t-it rain, teams are preparing for whichever scenario unfolds on race day. The hope is that the added moisture might mitigate the fiery threats, keeping the focus solely on top-caliber racing.
