Formula 1 organisers are counting on overnight rain to resolve a series of grass fires that have plagued the Japanese Grand Prix weekend at Suzuka.
The dry grass lining the 3.6-mile circuit has ignited on multiple occasions during the weekend’s sessions, triggering five red flag stoppages — including one during Saturday’s qualifying session.
Track marshals were seen using buckets and even improvised tools like upside-down traffic cones to water the grass in an attempt to prevent further incidents. With rain forecast in the early hours of Sunday, officials are hopeful the weather will naturally reduce fire risk before the race begins at 06:00 BST.
“If the forecast proves wrong, we’ll water the grass again to minimise the chance of more fires,” said a spokesperson for governing body the FIA.
While a pre-emptive controlled burn of high-risk grassy areas was considered, the option was dismissed due to environmental concerns, the risk of uncontrolled fire, and the unsightly appearance it would leave around the track.
The fires have mainly been caused by sparks from the titanium skid plates beneath the cars, particularly in fast corners where cars are close to the ground. The exit of the high-speed 130R corner was the site of a fifth grass fire during qualifying.
Despite the disruptions, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secured pole position with a lap hailed as “special” by rivals and pundits alike. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who starts third, expressed confidence that the weather will improve safety conditions: “With the rain overnight, I don’t think it will be as much of a problem.”
Final preparations continue amid concerns, but F1 fans and officials alike will be hoping nature lends a hand to ensure a smooth and safe race on Sunday.
