The Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia faced a significant delay due to a software glitch affecting multiple Formula 1® cars during the formation lap. The issue caused throttle input problems, leading to several cars stalling and forcing the race to be temporarily halted.
The race was initially delayed by 40 minutes because of heavy rain. When the formation lap finally began, drivers including Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Perez, Lando Norris, and Fernando Alonso encountered a throttle input glitch. This problem was linked to the new hybrid power units, which now deliver 47% of their power electrically. The glitch prevented the cars from properly redeploying power at very low speeds, causing stalls across several teams such as Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, McLaren, and Aston Martin-Honda.
Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA single-seater technical director, explained that the software bug was triggered when cars moved very slowly or almost stopped during the formation lap. He noted that insufficient wet-weather testing contributed to the issue, which led to the race being red-flagged. The FIA and teams responded quickly by developing and deploying a software update that took about 20 minutes to install on all affected cars, allowing the race to restart after a total delay of 53 minutes.
The incident drew criticism from drivers such as Sergio Perez and Lando Norris, who described the glitch as unacceptable and highlighted the need for improved electronic reliability in the sport. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso made a lighthearted comment, noting that despite several retirements this season, the stoppage did not negatively impact Aston Martin-Honda’s results.
Tombazis acknowledged the FIA’s swift reaction under pressure to resolve the problem but also apologized for the lengthy wait experienced by spectators. The episode underlined the challenges of integrating increasingly complex hybrid power units and software systems in Formula 1® cars, especially under challenging weather conditions.
While the glitch caused a notable disruption, the rapid response from the FIA and teams helped to minimize the impact on the race itself. The event highlighted the importance of thorough testing, particularly in wet conditions, as the sport continues to evolve with advanced hybrid technology.
This explanation from the FIA provides clarity on the technical difficulties faced during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia and reflects ongoing efforts to ensure reliability and safety in the championship.