Japanese Grand Prix

Japanese Grand Prix qualifying DELAYED as fire hits Suzuka track

Kerry Violet Saturday 5 April 2025 08:41 Updated: 12:19

Japanese Grand Prix qualifying DELAYED as fire hits Suzuka track

Qualifying for this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix has been delayed after another grass fire brought out a red flag during Q2 on Saturday.

The issue has persisted across the weekend so far thanks to sparks flying off the titanium skid blocks of the F1 machinery, which was being picked up by the strong winds at Suzuka, causing the parched trackside grass to catch fire.

After the morning's practice session took place ahead of Saturday's qualifying, two red flags had already been waved as a result of the grass catching fire and spreading rapidly in FP3.

How many red flags have been caused by Suzuka fires this weekend?

After the problem persisted throughout Saturday's session, the FIA issued a statement declaring: "Ahead of qualifying, all available time and resources will be focused on further dampening the grass before the session."

Unfortunately, the issue persisted into qualifying, causing a seven-minute delay to the proceedings.

Q2 got back underway smoothly, although concerns remain over what the approach will be should the fires continue to break out during Sunday's grand prix.

So far this weekend, two red flags were waved on Friday during FP2 as a result of the issue and then another two fires red-flagged the session in FP3. In total following the incident in qualifying, five red flags this weekend have been caused by the fires before the main event has even got going.

F1 HEADLINES: FIA PUNISHMENT issued after Hamilton incident as Verstappen also investigated in Japan

F1 Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka red flag Q2

Latest News

Japanese Grand Prix

F1 2025 Japanese Grand Prix starting grid with penalties applied

25 minutes ago

FIA News

FIA confirm official curfew breach for second F1 team at Japanese Grand Prix

1 hour ago

Japanese Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton hit with deleted lap FIA ruling at Japanese Grand Prix

1 hour ago

Alpine

Alpine issue official team statement after Jack Doohan crash at Japanese Grand Prix

2 hours ago

Japanese Grand Prix

F1 2025 Japanese Grand Prix weather forecast - Rain forecast for Sunday's race

3 hours ago

Japanese Grand Prix

Sky F1 pundits shocked at FIA action over Japanese Grand Prix fires

3 hours ago

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2025

GP AUSTRALIA 14 - 14 Mar

GP BAHRAIN 11 - 11 Apr

GP SAUDI ARABIA 18 - 18 Apr

GP USA 2 - 2 May

GP ITALY 16 - 16 May

GP MONACO 23 - 23 May

GP SPAIN 30 - 30 May

Complete kalender 2025

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY