Austrian GP qualifying red-flagged after fire erupts on final corner
Qualifying at the Austrian Grand Prix was red-flagged after a fire broke out at the final corner of the Red Bull Ring
Marshals extinguish a trackside fire in Q2 during qualifying
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Qualifying at the Austrian Grand Prix has been red-flagged due to a fire on the final corner of the Red Bull Ring.
There are bad memories from the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this year, where marshals were seen dousing the dry grass in water and other chemicals. Suzuka's weekend was thrown into chaos after a number of grass fires caused by sparks from the titanium planks that run down the centre beneath each car.
With multiple sessions being red-flagged, it became a serious issue. To combat this, the grass was cut as short as possible and was dampened, but that didn't stop qualifying from being red-flagged later in the weekend.
Both Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton ran wide on the final corner, and the FIA have confirmed that this fire wasn't caused by sparks from the plank, but instead from the cars going off track. The red flag forced Alex Albon to abort his lap as it brought Q1 to an end.
To combat this, additional dampening of the grass will take place during the break between Q2 and Q3.
Formula 1 had questioned the use of stainless steel skid blocks to reduce sparks on-track, but these are yet to be utilised.
“Following analysis of the stainless steel skid block trials in Barcelona, the FIA has revised the implementation plan outlined in TD015," the FIA said in a statement.
“Titanium skid blocks will remain the mandated material for the remainder of the season.
Photos from Austrian GP - Practice and Qualifying
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
“However, teams are requested to have stainless steel skid blocks available at all events, as they may become mandatory if similar grass fire incidents occur as seen in Suzuka early this year.
“Additional testing of stainless steel skid blocks will be conducted at selected events throughout the season to support further evaluation."
Q1 was led by McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, followed by Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson.
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