A software failure left several cars struggling on the wet Sepang circuit and delayed the start by 53 minutes. The FIA said the system had not been tested as extensively as planned.
A software problem affecting Formula One power units disrupted the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. On the wet Sepang circuit, several cars slowed almost to a halt on formation laps, forcing officials to abort the start. Teams
Drivers linked the episode to the complexity of the new engine formula. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli said drivers could not understand what was happening as cars ran several abreast. Lewis Hamilton said he had to stop and restart his engine. Max Verstappen, who won the race, said the sport should learn from the incident.
The FIA said a software bug caused an unintended loss of power in low-grip conditions. Nikolas Tombazis, the governing body’s single-seater director, acknowledged that the software had not been tested as extensively as intended because there had been little wet running this season.
The current formula combines electric and combustion power in roughly equal shares. It will not be changed this season. A minor adjustment is planned for next year, with more substantial changes discussed for 2028. Carlos Sainz called on Formula One to examine how the rules led to the problem.