The FIA will introduce further changes to wet-weather engine software from the United States Grand Prix after completing a review into the "software bug" that further delayed the start of last week's rain-hit race in Malaysia.
Several cars slowed or briefly stopped on the rain-hit laps to the grid last Sunday due to what the governing body described as an "unprecedented combination" related to both the slow speed the cars were travelling in the wet and the sector configuration of the Sepang lap. The start procedure was abandoned and the Grand Prix eventually started 48 minutes later after a software update was issued by the FIA to all teams and power-unit manufacturers.
Having promised an investigation, the FIA delivered its findings and next steps on Thursday ahead of this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix. The review concluded that some cars running on low engine RPM in certain circuit sectors where a 250kW power reduction was applied experienced a loss of power beyond the original intent. As a result, the configuration established for the Sepang event will be reinstated for the Singapore Grand Prix should similar weather conditions be expected. A further update to the wet-weather software will be released for the United States Grand Prix on October 25.
The review also recommended measures for testing the software, recognising that opportunities for testing are limited, to make it as robust as possible. The FIA, together with the teams and Power Unit Manufacturers, will continue to strengthen software testing and verification capabilities, including input from the supplier of the standardised Electronics Control Unit. The governing body also dismissed suggestions that the wet-weather software had not been tested before the Sepang issues, noting simulation exercises and full-scale running during Free Practice 1 sessions at the Belgian and Dutch Grands Prix.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing