The FIA has explained the software glitch that delayed the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The Sepang race start was postponed by 40 minutes due to rain, then a chaotic formation lap saw front-row starters Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton suffer throttle issues, with many cars stopping and a red flag.
Sergio Perez called the situation “unacceptable,” comparing it to a rental kart running out of time, while Lando Norris said it was “just horrible” and proof that the electronic side shouldn't exist in new machinery, which is 47% electrical.
FIA single-seater chief Nikolas Tombazis said the bug occurred because F1 had little wet running this season, so software wasn't tested extensively. Cars moving very slowly on the formation lap triggered the issue, preventing power redeployment. A software update was issued and installed in about 20 minutes, causing a 53-minute delay.
Tombazis apologized for the wait but praised the quick reaction. Fernando Alonso, finishing eighth, joked: “I had 50% DNFs this year, they never stopped the race for us.”
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing