Formula 1’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka has been plagued by small grass fires causing multiple interruptions during practice and qualifying sessions. The FIA took pre-emptive measures by cutting short and removing dried grass, but fires continued to break out, leading to marshals using buckets and cones to tackle the issue.
In a bid to prevent further disruptions during the race, discussions have been held to address this fiery challenge. While rain is forecasted for Sunday, backup plans are in place in case the showers are not enough to extinguish potential fires.
Burning the grass as a solution has been dismissed due to time constraints and environmental concerns. Instead, the focus is on continuous watering of the grass and stationing response teams strategically around the track. Safety measures include deploying safety cars or red flags if more fires occur during the Grand Prix.
Poleman Max Verstappen expressed concerns about the dry grass igniting with sparks from the cars, emphasizing the need for proactive measures. As the anticipation builds for the race, all eyes are on whether these fire-prevention strategies will hold up under the pressure of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.