FIA grass fire concerns ease with rain forecast at F1 Japanese Grand Prix

Prolonged rain showers have been forecast for Suzuka in a single day on Saturday and into Sunday, with the anticipated downpours set to halt the System 1 Japanese Grand Prix grass fires.

5 separate incidents of scorched turf have delayed observe motion throughout the weekend to date, with two purple flags in FP2, two in FP3 and one other throughout Q2 because the FIA and race organisers grappled with discovering an answer.

Investigations into the reason for the incidents are ongoing with essentially the most believable rationalization being sparks coming off the vehicles’ titanium skid blocks and touchdown on the straw-like grass, with robust winds additionally taking part in a component.

Having minimize some sections of grass as brief as doable and watered different areas on Friday night, the FIA had hoped to eradicate any additional cases.

“Whereas we proceed to look into the fires that occurred throughout FP2, our focus earlier than tomorrow will probably be on taking pre-emptive measures,” an announcement launched on Friday from the governing physique learn.

“The grass has been minimize as brief as doable, and unfastened, dried grass has been faraway from affected areas.

“Previous to tomorrow’s periods, the grass will probably be dampened, and particular response groups will probably be stationed across the observe.”

Nonetheless, with climate circumstances comparable on Saturday, the grass continued to catch fireplace and led to additional farcical delays to working.

Now it appears as if organisers will probably be trying to the skies for his or her answer, with fixed rain anticipated all through Saturday evening and doubtlessly persevering with throughout Sunday.

If there may be ample rainfall, the problem is way much less more likely to return. The FIA would nevertheless even be able to water the hazard areas once more.

Some stories claimed a drastic measure might see the grass burned intentionally to forestall the problem, however Autosport understands that’s not an possibility on the desk.

Max Verstappen took pole place for Sunday’s race and, when requested concerning the fires by Autosport, he too urged Mom Nature might assist out.

“It is going to rain in a single day,” he stated. “That can assist moist the bottom a bit bit. I suppose the grass has been very dry and with the sparks coming off the vehicles it could ignite the grass with a little bit of wind.”