FIA announce Japanese Grand Prix changes after fires…read more
The FIA has announced several changes for the remainder of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend after a chaotic day of practice on Friday, which saw fires break out at the Suzuka Circuit. The fires were caused by sparks from Formula 1 cars driving around the track, with dry and windy conditions amplifying the risk. Friday’s practice session (FP2) was plagued by multiple interruptions, including a series of red flags, as the fires made it difficult for teams and drivers to complete their scheduled running.
One of the most dramatic incidents during the day was a massive crash by Jack Doohan, which was one of four red flags waved during FP2. The fires, which broke out around the track, were responsible for two of these red flags, severely limiting track time for the drivers. As a result, there was less opportunity for teams to gather important data and fine-tune their setups ahead of the weekend’s qualifying and race.
In response to the unusual situation on Friday, the FIA issued an official statement outlining the changes and precautions that would be implemented ahead of the remaining sessions on Saturday. The focus is primarily on taking pre-emptive measures to prevent further fires and ensure the safety of everyone at the track. The statement detailed how the track crew had already taken steps to address the fire risk, including cutting the grass around the circuit as short as possible and removing any loose, dry grass in the affected areas. In addition, the FIA has instructed that the grass be dampened prior to the start of the next sessions. Specialized response teams will also be stationed around the track to quickly handle any incidents should they arise.
The fires themselves were exacerbated by the dry and windy conditions associated with the Japanese spring. While the temperatures at Suzuka were not exceptionally high, the warm, dry weather had caused the grass around the track to wither and die, creating a perfect environment for fires to break out. This issue was further compounded by the strong winds, which helped spread the fires more quickly. Looking ahead, the forecast for the weekend shows more sunny spells and dry conditions, which could lead to further fire-related challenges for the remainder of the event. The lack of rain in the forecast increases the risk of similar incidents occurring in the coming days.
In addition to addressing the fire risks, the FIA had already announced track changes before the start of Friday’s practice sessions. These included a resurfacing of the track between Turns 1 and 8, which was expected to improve the driving conditions and safety of the circuit. Furthermore, additional safety measures had been put in place to protect the marshal posts around the track, ensuring the safety of all personnel working during the event.
Despite the disruptions on Friday, drivers are hopeful that they will be able to make the most of the remaining sessions. With just 20 minutes of track time in FP2 completed under green flag conditions, there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of setup and preparation for qualifying. Saturday’s FP3 session will be crucial for the teams, as they look to fine-tune their setups and make up for the lost time in Friday’s practice.
As the weekend progresses, the FIA and the Suzuka circuit management will continue to monitor the situation closely. The priority will remain on minimizing the fire risks and ensuring that drivers can complete their practice, qualifying, and race sessions in the safest possible conditions. The challenges faced on Friday have highlighted the unpredictable nature of racing in Suzuka, and it is clear that both teams and organizers must remain vigilant in order to adapt to the
conditions.
