F1 drivers have spent years complaining about the complexity of modern cars, and now a wet race in Malaysia has handed them a fresh example. The Bahrain GP’s start was delayed for 50 minutes after a software glitch left several cars stuck in idle mode on the formation lap, with the affected cars unable to accelerate.
The issue happened at the Sepang circuit, where a bug in the power unit controller’s wet weather mode triggered when drivers drove at very low speeds. That caused a large number of cars to enter an idle loop at various points of the two planned formation laps. The FIA had to deliver a software patch to all 11 teams during the red flag stoppage, lifting the usual wet weather power reduction in the affected zones.
Norris Calls It Horrible
Lando Norris, one of the few Mercedes-powered drivers affected, called the glitches “horrible” and said they proved F1 should move away from hybrids entirely.
“It’s just horrible. I don’t know, it just proves that we shouldn’t have any of that stuff, the electronic side,” Norris said.
Piastri Mocks the Delay
Piastri was less serious about the delay, noting the irony of a race being postponed by a coding problem.
“I’ve never seen an F1 race delayed by a bug. That was a new one,” Piastri said mockingly. “I got stuck for about a second. When the turbo doesn’t work on these things, you might as well push the car instead of using an engine. It was quite bizarre. It wasn’t a great look, but I think it would be unfair to point the finger before there’s an explanation.”
Perez’s Rental Kart Comparison
Cadillac’s Sergio Perez, who drove one of several Ferrari-powered cars affected, offered a blunt comparison.
“It felt like you were in a rental kart and you ran out of time,” the Mexican explained. “You were putting your foot down and accelerating and nothing was coming.” He added: “I’m sure we will learn from it as a sport. But what happened today is totally unacceptable for the sport.”
Bearman’s Throttle Stopped Working
Haas driver Oliver Bearman described the moment his throttle pedal stopped responding as frightening.
“I’ve never seen anything like that. I was shocked,” he said. “I didn’t even know that the FIA could control our throttle pedal. That was quite scary, actually. My throttle pedal stopped working, but it looks like everybody stopped working as well. The engine was just idling.”
Alonso Says There Is Too Much Tech
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso echoed the frustration, saying there is now “too much technology” in the series.
“Too much technology,” he said.
Verstappen Triggers the Bug
Race winner Max Verstappen triggered the bug first, and he described the chaos on the formation lap in terms of a children’s toy.
“That’s the problem that we have,” the Dutchman said. “These engines are so complicated and a lot of software is implemented. I triggered it first and then I looked in my mirror and I was like: ‘Wait, are they waiting for me or what’s going on…?’ Then we did a lap and then I saw eight other cars crawling still. What can you say? I mean, that’s not what you want for the sport, right?”
The Drivers’ Reactions
- Norris called it horrible and said F1 should move away from hybrids.
- Piastri mocked the delay and described the situation as bizarre.
- Perez compared the experience to a rental kart running out of time.
- Bearman described his throttle stopping work as scary.
- Alonso said there is too much technology.
- Verstappen likened the scene to a Lego go-kart race.
A Race Delayed by a Bug
The 50-minute delay was a major blemish for F1 ahead of what was otherwise an entertaining, mixed-weather race. The incident did little to endear the current formula to drivers who were already worried about F1’s battery-dominated racing and the overbearing electronics that govern it.
The drivers are frustrated, and their reactions range from mockery to genuine alarm. The sport will need to address why a formation lap turned into a spectacle.
Source material: “Powerless F1 drivers frustrated by Bahrain F1 software glitch,” motorsport.com.
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