The FIA started an in depth probe on Friday night time after two separate fires on the identical space of grass inside Flip 7 disrupted operating on the opening day of monitor motion.
First follow 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 fireplace on the finish of the primary session of dash qualifying.
Whereas there was no purple flag this time, as a result of session operating had already ended, it did set off a delay to the beginning of SQ2.
The FIA despatched personnel to the world 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 recognized 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 compounds on the grass – which may maybe have been discarded there within the construct as much as the weekend.
There have been theories in regards to the fires being fuelled by methane fuel seeping up by the bottom after which getting ignited.
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
The Shanghai circuit is constructed on a swamp, which could possibly be a reason for a build-up of fuel. There are additionally understood to be numerous pipes that run beneath the venue too, so it could possibly 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 fireplace downside doesn’t trigger bother if it repeats itself once more.
A brief assertion from the FIA mentioned the grass had been watered down and further precautions taken with fireplace 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,” mentioned the assertion.
“We might be watering the grass within the affected areas and can have an emergency fireplace response staff on standby at Flip 7.”