FIA taking action after grass fires halted Japanese GP FP2

The FIA is attempting to prevent a repeat of the grass fires that derailed second practice at Formula 1’s Japanese Grand Prix.

Friday’s session was thrown into disarray by four red flags, two for offs by Jack Doohan and Fernando Alonso and another two for grass patches lining the Suzuka track catching fire.

The dry grass approaching Turn 8 first caught fire with 13 minutes left to run and was quickly extinguished by the Suzuka marshals.

In the dying seconds the grass was set ablaze again, this time much more dramatically and it curtailed the final push laps for many drivers.

The FIA is still investigating the cause of the incidents, but thus far the most plausible explanation is sparks coming off the cars’ titanium skid blocks.

The governing body has announced it is taking preventative measures to avoid a repeat on Saturday for final practice and qualifying, with certain patches being watered and the driest sections being removed altogether.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Photo by: Peter Fox – Getty Images

“While we continue to look into the fires that occurred during FP2, our focus before tomorrow will be on taking pre-emptive measures,” an FIA statement read.

“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.”

A similar incident occurred at last year’s Chinese Grand Prix, when the sole practice session in Shanghai was halted for two separate grass fires and the FIA took similar measures at the time.