Get you up to speed: Formula One to probe software bug behind Bahrain GP chaos in Sepang
Formula One’s governing body is investigating a software bug that led to the Bahrain Grand Prix’s aborted start at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, affecting drivers including Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. The FIA reported that an “unprecedented combination” of factors caused a loss of power in several cars during the formation lap, prompting a software adjustment before the race began.
The FIA has implemented an updated software release to address the energy limit constraint issue that affected multiple cars during the race. Nikolas Tombazis noted that the lack of preseason testing in wet conditions contributed to the incident, highlighting the need for improved preparations in the future.
Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, has promised a comprehensive investigation into the software glitch that disrupted the Bahrain Grand Prix, with director Nikolas Tombazis acknowledging that limited wet-weather testing may have contributed to the issue. Following the incident, the FIA implemented an updated software release to rectify the power constraints experienced by several cars, as it works alongside teams and manufacturers to review the problem in detail.
What remains unclear — The specific measures that will be taken by the FIA and teams in response to the software bug causing the race chaos have not been disclosed.
Formula One to investigate software bug affecting Bahrain Grand Prix restart
Sport|MotorsportsFormula One to probe software bug behind Bahrain GP chaos in Sepang
Drivers faced glitches at the race in Malaysia, where Lewis Hamilton had to stop and restart his car on the track.
Published On 5 Oct 20265 Oct 2026
Formula One’s governing body has promised a full investigation into a software bug that caused chaos and forced the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia to be aborted, with drivers feeling like they were in battery-powered cars made of Lego.
Ferrari’s seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s four-time champion and eventual race winner Max Verstappen were among several affected by the glitch on a formation lap after torrential rain and a long delay at Malaysia’s steamy Sepang circuit on Sunday.
Verstappen compared the experience to a “Lego race” held at Silverstone before the British Grand Prix while Hamilton, the sport’s most successful driver of all time, had to stop his car on track and restart it in what he said was a career first.
The episode was the latest in a difficult first season for the new era of cars and engines, with drivers at the pinnacle of motorsport unhappy since the opening race with the power units’ increased electrical component and the need for energy management.
FIA said afterwards that “an unprecedented combination of low engine speed, low-grip conditions, wet-weather energy management settings and the Sepang circuit’s sector configuration led to an unintended loss of power for a number of cars”.
“As a result, the FIA technical department removed the energy limit constraint in the affected sectors through an updated software release distributed to all competitors during the race delay caused by heavy rain, enabling teams to make the necessary changes to the power unit before the start of the race.
“This issue had not been detected by the FIA or the teams during testing or during the laps to the grid. The FIA, together with the teams and power unit manufacturers, will undertake a full review of the issue.”
The FIA’s single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis told reporters the lack of preseason testing in wet conditions had played a part in the chaos.
“Some cars went very slowly, almost came to a standstill. There was a bit of a concertina effect between cars, and some cars almost stopped completely,” he said. “That bug prevented the power from being redeployed, and for the cars to start again.
“I think if we had had a bit more testing, we probably would have managed to catch it in time, and not have such a situation.”
Sepang was the first race weekend of the season with wet conditions, although the track dried during the race.
“Sometimes things fall through the net and people learn, and you do a better job next time,” Tombazis said.