Addressing the Ongoing Grass Fire Issue at the Japanese GP

The 2025 Japanese Grand Prix weekend has been marred by grass fires, with the final practice session (FP3) being red-flagged twice due to dry grass igniting. In response, Williams team principal James Vowles has urged the FIA to implement additional preventative measures before qualifying.

Efforts to Prevent Grass Fires

Despite ongoing efforts to prevent these fires, including wetting, cutting, and removal of grass around certain track areas, the issue persists. Saturday’s final practice session was halted just minutes after it began when grass caught fire between the hairpin and spoon curve section of the track. The grass set alight again ahead of the famous 130R.

In a statement, the FIA outlined their plans to address this issue. They have cut the grass as short as possible, removed loose, dried grass from affected areas, and will dampen the grass before tomorrow’s sessions. Specific response teams will also be stationed around the track.

Team Principal’s Concerns and Solutions

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 following the final practice session on Saturday, Vowles confirmed that teams had been in contact with the FIA about resolving this ongoing issue. He emphasized the need for preemptive measures to avoid any mishaps. When asked if changing the skid plate is a feasible solution, he dismissed the idea. Instead, he suggested wetting the track and exploring other preventative measures before qualifying.

The grass fires during FP2 on Friday ahead of the race resulted in four red flags, with two being caused by fires. This limited the time drivers had to practice, with Max Verstappen managing only nine laps.

Past Incidents and Potential Solutions

It’s important to note that this isn’t the first time such an incident has occurred. Last year’s Chinese Grand Prix experienced a similar situation. Chemicals were spread over the grass to prevent fires, which is likely the solution this weekend.