P1racenews AI automatic summary:
FIA still chasing answers over bizarre Shanghai F1 grass fires
The practice session on Friday morning at the Shanghai International Circuit had to be stopped due to a fire erupting on the grass inside Turn 7. This incident was followed by another fire in the same area during sprint qualifying, causing a brief delay in the second session. Initial investigation suggested that sparks from the cars were igniting the grass, but the fires were larger than expected due to unknown factors. The possibility of methane gas from the swampy ground or chemicals used on the grass as catalysts for the fires is being considered. The FIA is conducting further examinations to determine the root cause and prevent any disruptions during the weekend sessions. The situation is unique for Shanghai, possibly influenced by the new ground effect cars creating more sparks in close proximity to the track.
