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The Japanese Grand Prix weekend kicked off with drama, but not the kind fans hoped for. While practice sessions saw McLaren’s Lando Norris blaze to P1 in FP1, followed by Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, the spotlight soon shifted to chaos. FP2 doubled down on McLaren’s dominance, with Oscar Piastri and Norris securing a 1-2 finish, while Racing Bulls’ rookie Isack Hadjar stunned with third place.
But the day’s rhythm was shattered by multiple red flags, triggered by a string of on-track incidents. Amid the Alpine team’s scare with Jack Doohan’s crash, another unexpected hazard emerged—one that forced the FIA to step in swiftly.
Sparks, smoke, and Japanese Grand Prix's fiery surprise
As cars roared through Suzuka’s iconic corners during FP2, an unusual threat lurked trackside: bone-dry grass. Japan’s lingering summer heat had baked the circuit’s surrounding vegetation, turning it into a tinderbox. When sparks flying from F1 cars’ underfloors met the parched grass, flames erupted twice, sending plumes of hazy smoke billowing across the track. Marshals scrambled to douse the fires, halting the session each time.
The FIA wasted no time addressing the hazard. A spokesperson confirmed preemptive steps: “The grass has been cut as short as possible, and loose, dried grass has been removed. Prior to tomorrow’s sessions, the grass will be dampened, and specific response teams will be stationed around the track.” This isn’t the first time fiery grass has disrupted a race.
At last year’s Chinese Grand Prix, similar blazes broke out despite less extreme weather. Investigators theorized swamp gases beneath Shanghai’s circuit—built on marshland—might have fueled the flames, though Suzuka’s terrain rules out that explanation.
While F1’s pyrotechnic floor sparks are designed to enhance safety by reducing aerodynamic “porpoising,” their unintended role as firestarters has raised eyebrows. Teams now face a weekend of heightened vigilance, with the FIA balancing spectacle and safety. For fans, the surreal sight of marshals battling flames added a bizarre twist to Suzuka’s storied legacy—a reminder that even motorsport’s best-laid plans can go up in smoke.
