Friday’s practice session at the Japanese Grand Prix was disrupted by four red-flag stoppages, including a high-speed crash involving Alpine’s Jack Doohan.
Doohan, who escaped uninjured, crashed at the 160mph first corner after failing to shut the DRS overtaking aid, resulting in reduced grip.
Team principal Oliver Oakes attributed the incident to a “misjudgement” and “something to learn from.”
The session was further disrupted by three separate incidents of grass fires beside the track, believed to have been caused by sparks from the cars and dry grass.
The fires led to two separate stoppages, with the final stoppage occurring just six minutes after the session resumed.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri topped the timesheets, ahead of teammate Lando Norris. Fernando Alonso also spun off and became beached in the gravel at Degner One, prompting another red flag.
The FIA has announced preemptive measures to prevent further grass fires, including cutting the grass as short as possible, removing loose dried grass, and dampening the grass prior to Saturday’s sessions.
Specific response teams will also be stationed around the track.
