The FIA started an in depth probe on Friday evening after two separate fires on the identical space of grass inside Flip 7 disrupted working on the opening day of monitor motion.
First apply for the Chinese language Grand Prix on Friday morning needed to be red-flagged after a blaze erupted on the grass earlier than the identical part later caught hearth on the finish of the primary session of dash qualifying.
Whereas there was no pink flag this time, as a result of session working had already ended, it did set off a delay to the beginning of SQ2.
The FIA despatched personnel to the realm on Friday night to conduct an evaluation of what should be blamed for the issues, however there was no agency conclusion.
Whereas it appears sure that flying sparks from F1 vehicles are being thrown into the grass, triggering the fires, what isn’t identified is what’s inflicting issues to burn a lot.
It’s understood that there isn’t any signal of there being a flammable materials or chemical substances on the grass – which might maybe have been discarded there within the construct as much as the weekend.
There have been theories concerning the fires being fuelled by methane fuel seeping up via the bottom after which getting ignited.
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
The Shanghai circuit is constructed on a swamp, which may very well be a explanation for a build-up of fuel. There are additionally understood to be numerous pipes that run beneath the venue too, so it may very well be that one has cracked.
Nevertheless, the FIA inspections didn’t set off any apparent proof of fuel being current, additional including to the thriller over what is going on.
However whereas there aren’t any solutions, the FIA has taken measures to make sure that the hearth drawback doesn’t trigger bother if it repeats itself once more.
A brief assertion from the FIA stated the grass had been watered down and additional precautions taken with hearth autos in attendance.
“Though we’re nonetheless unsure why grass fires occurred in yesterday’s periods, we’re taking pre-emptive measures forward of in the present day’s monitor actions,” stated the assertion.
“We will probably be watering the grass within the affected areas and could have an emergency hearth response crew on standby at Flip 7.”