F1 Drivers Blast Software Glitch That Delayed Bahrain-Branded Race at Sepang

Formula 1 drivers voiced sharp frustration after a software glitch in the sport's 2026-generation power units brought the start of a wet-weather Grand Prix to a halt, delaying the race by 50 minutes and reigniting criticism of the series' growing reliance on electronics.

The event, contested in wet conditions at the Sepang circuit, marked the first rain race for F1's new generation of cars. During the two formation laps, a bug in the power unit controller's wet-weather mode left a large number of cars stuck in idle at very low speeds, effectively leaving drivers unable to accelerate. With multiple cars caught in the loop, the FIA had to rapidly write and distribute a software patch to all 11 teams during the ensuing red flag, lifting the power reduction that had been automatically applied in the affected zones.

The incident added fuel to existing driver complaints about F1's battery-heavy power units and the extent to which electronic systems now govern the cars. Lando Norris, one of the Mercedes-powered drivers affected, did not mince words. "It's just horrible. I don't know, it just proves that we shouldn't have any of that stuff, the electronic side," he said.

Oscar Piastri took a more wry tone but was no less pointed. "I've never seen an F1 race delayed by a bug. That was a new one," he said. "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."

Sergio Perez, driving a Ferrari-powered car, was blunter still. "It felt like you were in a rental kart and you ran out of time," he said. "You were putting your foot down and accelerating and nothing was coming. I'm sure we will learn from it as a sport. But what happened today is totally unacceptable for the sport."

Haas driver Oliver Bearman described the experience as unsettling, saying his throttle pedal stopped responding without warning. "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."

Fernando Alonso argued the episode reflected a broader problem, saying there is now "too much technology" in the sport and that fans don't fully appreciate it either. Race winner Max Verstappen, whose slow getaway appeared to trigger the glitch, compared the chaotic formation laps to a go-kart mishap. "These engines are so complicated and a lot of software is implemented," he said. "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?"

Despite the delay, the race ultimately went ahead and produced an eventful, mixed-weather contest. But the glitch leaves the FIA and power unit manufacturers facing fresh scrutiny over the reliability of F1's new hybrid systems as the sport heads into further events under the 2026 regulations.