Fire Hazards Disrupt Japanese GP Practice: McLaren Dominates Amid Challenges

The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka faced unexpected hurdles as grass fires disrupted practice sessions for the second consecutive day. McLaren's Lando Norris emerged as the fastest driver, narrowly beating teammate Oscar Piastri in a thrilling one-two finish during the final practice.

Practice Interruptions Due to Grass Fires

The session was halted twice due to fires igniting in the grass along the Suzuka circuit. The first interruption occurred early in the session, while the second happened just seven minutes before the scheduled end. Despite mitigation measures implemented after Friday's incidents, the fires remained a significant concern for race organizers.

FIA's Response and Mitigation Efforts

The FIA announced that all available resources would be focused on dampening the grass ahead of qualifying. Marshals were seen filling buckets and traffic cones with water to pour onto the affected areas. Qualifying is set to take place at 07:00 BST on Saturday, with the race scheduled for 06:00 on Sunday, amidst forecasts of early rain.

Driver Performances and Challenges

Norris led the pack with a time of 1:30.123, just 0.026 seconds ahead of Piastri. Mercedes' George Russell secured third place, followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Verstappen, however, continued to struggle with his car's front grip, describing it as "undriveable" at one point.

Impact on Qualifying Simulations

The second fire prevented several drivers, including Leclerc, from completing their soft tyre qualifying simulation runs. Leclerc was impeded by Carlos Sainz's Williams during his first flying lap and couldn't attempt another run before the session ended.

Looking Ahead

With the race day approaching, teams and organizers are working tirelessly to ensure safety and smooth proceedings. Fans can follow live updates on the BBC Sport website and app, with radio commentary available on BBC 5 Sports Extra.