The FIA is to take steps to ensure there is no repeat of the grass fires which occurred during the second practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix.
After two red flags for crashes involving Alpine’s Jack Doohan, and Fernando Alonso in his Aston Martin, race control at Suzuka was forced to intervene twice more during the hour-long outing.
The first fire occurred out of the Turn 11 hairpin, seemingly caused by sparks flying off the underside of cars and into the dry grass lining the track. After a five-minute delay, the second – and more widespread – followed shortly after on the entry to Turn 13.
Both incidents, a repeat of what occurred in the sole practice session ahead of last year’s Chinese Grand Prix, were dealt swiftly by the trackside marshals.
With continued dry weather forecast for Saturday’s final practice and qualifying – ahead of forecasted rain for Sunday – the FIA is eager to nip the prospect of further issues in the bud.
A statement from the FIA read: “While we continue to look into the fires that occurred during FP2, our focus before tomorrow will be on taking preemptive measures.
“The grass has been cut as short as possible, and loose, dried grass has been removed from affected areas.
“Prior to tomorrow’s sessions, the grass will be dampened, and specific response teams will be stationed around the track.”
