Key Points
Software glitch halted multiple F1 cars during Bahrain GP formation lap in Malaysia.
FIA blamed unprecedented combination of low speed, wet conditions, and circuit layout.
Drivers including Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris condemned 2026 engine complexity.
Max Verstappen won his first race of 2026 after 53-minute delay for software fix.
A software glitch in F1’s new 2026 power units caused chaos at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on October 4, leaving multiple cars crawling or stopped on the formation lap. Max Verstappen won despite the farcical start, but drivers including Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris condemned the complexity of the current engine regulations. The FIA took 53 minutes to distribute a software fix.
What happened during the formation lap
Heavy rain delayed the Bahrain Grand Prix start at Sepang International Circuit. When drivers began the formation lap, a bug in the power unit software caused several cars to lose power or grind to a halt. Max Verstappen, pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton, and others struggled to accelerate. Hamilton said he had to stop his engine completely and restart it on track. The FIA abandoned the start procedure and returned all cars to the pits.
Why the software failed in wet conditions
The FIA blamed an unprecedented combination of low engine speed, low-grip conditions, wet-weather energy management settings, and Sepang’s circuit layout for triggering the glitch. The software is designed to limit power output and prevent torque spikes, but had not been tested in these exact conditions. The FIA and teams had not detected the issue during testing or earlier laps. The FIA removed the energy limit constraint through an updated software release distributed to all teams during the 53-minute delay.
Driver fury over engine complexity
Verstappen likened the incident to a Lego race, while Hamilton said he had never experienced such a problem. Lando Norris, the reigning world champion, called the situation horrible and demanded removal of all electronic software from power units. Kimi Antonelli described the chaos as insane, noting drivers could not understand what was happening. George Russell, who retired with an engine failure, said the situation did not feel like F1. The 2026 regulations introduced an almost 50-50 split between electronic and combustion power.
Verstappen’s breakthrough win and fairness debate
Despite the chaos, Verstappen converted his pole position into a dominant victory, his first win of 2026. The race eventually started with the original grid order restored. Fernando Alonso questioned the fairness of allowing stricken cars to restart, noting that Aston Martin’s failures earlier in the season had never stopped races. However, the FIA treated the glitch as a safety concern requiring a race suspension. Verstappen and Red Bull have now won after nine combined podiums in the first 15 races of the season.
Final Thoughts
The Bahrain GP software failure exposed deep flaws in F1’s 2026 power unit regulations. With drivers united in criticism and the FIA promising a full review, expect pressure to simplify engine software before the 2028 regulation change.
FAQs
A software bug designed to limit power output was triggered by low engine speed, wet conditions, and Sepang’s circuit layout, causing an unintended loss of power in multiple cars.
The FIA took 53 minutes to distribute an updated software release to all teams during the race delay caused by heavy rain.
Yes. The race was restarted with the original grid order, and Verstappen won from pole position, securing his first victory of 2026.
Drivers including Lando Norris have called for removal of electronic software from power units, citing complexity and unpredictable behavior in wet conditions.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
About Author
Danny Kontos
Co FounderDanny Kontos has been a stock investor since 2007 and co-founded Meyka in 2023. He keeps a small, focused portfolio and only moves when the numbers are hard to argue with. He has waited years on a single position before. Before Meyka, he ran a web hosting company and a mortgage lending platform, so he knows what a well-run business actually looks like under the hood. This article did not come from a news cycle. It came from someone who has been watching this space for a long time.
What brings you to Meyka?
Pick what interests you most and we will get you started.
I'm here to read news
Find more articles like this one
I'm here to research stocks
Ask Meyka Analyst about any stock
I'm here to track my Portfolio
Get daily updates and alerts (coming March 2026)