Le azioni intraprese ora dalla FIA

(Motorsport-Total.com) – Improvised small flames flicker in the grass next to the racetrack: During the Free Practice and again during the Sprint Qualifying of the Formula 1 at the China Grand Prix 2024 in Shanghai, there were small fires in the run-off areas. This caused short interruptions and interventions by the marshals who fought the fires with extinguishers.

The big question, however, is: What caused the fires? That is unclear so far.

Representatives of the FIA have already started an investigation on site. After the first incident at a curve, the FIA officials inspected the fire site. However, they did not find any evidence of the cause of the fire. There were also no unusual smells or similar things detected, as reported from Shanghai.

What is certain is that the second incident at curve 5 has triggered another investigation. By the time of the Sprint on Saturday, the World Federation wants to have clarity on whether there could be further fires that might endanger the operation during the Sprint, Qualifying or Grand Prix.

Because the consequence of another fire is clear: the unit in question would have to be interrupted with the red flag. This happened in Free Practice and again in the Sprint Qualifying, which was briefly stopped between SQ1 and SQ2.

Meanwhile, there are many speculations circulating in the Formula 1 paddock in Shanghai. One theory refers to the location of the Shanghai International Circuit, which was built in a reclaimed swamp area. Possibly, methane gas could be escaping from the ground and igniting due to the sparks from the Formula 1 cars.

According to another theory, work on the racetrack could have been the trigger for the grass fires: There is talk of a possible treatment of the grass off the track, which was shining in lush green this weekend. It is conceivable, it is said, that flammable materials were used to achieve the desired fresh look.

Another version of the same theory points to the resurfacing works in Shanghai last year, of which the FIA and Formula 1 were initially unaware. During these works, the track operators had a layer of liquid asphalt applied to the track to improve its stability. Flammable materials could have also made their way into the grass.

However, all these explanations have flaws: The resurfacing works in Shanghai were done in 2023 and the last rain shower before the race weekend occurred on Wednesday. The grass at the Shanghai International Circuit could not have been too dry with many clouds and temperatures just above 20 degrees Celsius during the day.

The sparks from the Formula 1 cars could be a promising approach: Formula 1 is using Ground-Effect cars for the first time under the current Technical Regulations in Shanghai. These vehicles are low to the ground and produce more sparks than their predecessors.

Theoretically, it is possible that the racing cars ignited the fires with their sparks. However, this has not yet been clarified.

The possibility of a repeat of the incidents may depend on the weather conditions in Shanghai. At least in the night before Saturday, new, sometimes heavy showers are forecast for the region around the racetrack.

During the day on Saturday and Sunday, it is expected to remain dry, with temperatures slightly above 20 degrees Celsius and little sunshine.