Software Bug Strands Drivers During Sepang Rain Chaos
Formula 1’s first wet race of the new era at the Sepang International Circuit delivered technical drama when a software bug caused electric motors to go into lock-down mode during the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend, motorsport.com reported. Anticipation for the event centered on gathering crucial data for Pirelli’s full wet and intermediate tyres under wet track conditions. Instead, a torrential downpour and subsequent thunderstorm delayed the race start, setting the stage for a software malfunction that left drivers stranded on throttle application. Race control initially managed the adverse weather effectively by delaying the start for safety reasons due to poor helicopter visibility and standing water. However, the subsequent rolling or standing procedures triggered unexpected software vulnerabilities within the new power units. Drivers reported complete stalls in slow-speed corners where electric motors failed to offset turbo lag.
Software Bugs and Electric Motor Lockdowns in Malaysia
During the race restart procedures, a software glitch forced the electric power units into lockdown mode across the slowest sections of the Sepang circuit. Drivers pressing the throttle experienced no response from the power unit.
Oliver Bearman addressed the media in the paddock following the incident, expressing surprise at the car’s behavior.
I didn’t even know that the FIA could control our throttle pedal. That was quite scary, actually,
Bearman said.
FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis later clarified that race control did not govern the throttle pedals. Tombazis explained that limited wet-weather running throughout the season prevented extensive testing of the software under heavy rain conditions.
We didn’t manage to test the software as extensively as we would have liked because there’s been very little wet running this year,
Tombazis stated during an additional media session. I think if we had had a bit more testing, we probably would have managed to catch it in time and not to have such a situation.
Tombazis added that software bugs are common products of complex development cycles, comparing the updates to standard computer patches.
Any bug is a product of a mistake,
Tombazis said. I mean, I don’t know of any software that doesn’t have bugs and updates. Your computer probably gets updated every three days and those are all bugs.
Driver Reactions to Complex 2026 Power Unit Rules
The mechanical failures reignited paddock debates regarding the heavy reliance on electrical power and intricate algorithms under the 2026 Formula 1 regulations. Reigning world champion Lando Norris voiced strong criticism of the electronic integration.
Just horrible.
I don’t know, it just proves that we shouldn’t have any of that stuff, the electronic side,
Norris said. The introduction of the high-voltage electrical architecture was designed to attract original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Audi to the sport. Discussions among stakeholders and Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali regarding the subsequent rules cycle for 2030 or 2031 already indicate a potential shift toward reducing manufacturer influence and simplifying power unit demands.
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