FIA to investigate software bug after Bahrain GP in Malaysia
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The episode was the latest in a difficult first season for the new era of cars and engines.
PHOTO: AFP
- A software bug caused power loss and chaos during the Bahrain Grand Prix formation lap at Sepang, forcing the race start to be aborted and affecting top drivers like Hamilton and Verstappen.
- The FIA attributed the issue to a rare mix of low engine speed, wet conditions and energy management settings, and quickly released a software fix to restore power before the race.
- FIA plans a full review with teams and manufacturers, noting limited wet-condition testing contributed to the problem and promising better preparation for future races.
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SEPANG, Malaysia – Formula 1’s governing body has promised a full investigation into a software bug that caused chaos and forced the start of Oct 4’s Bahrain Grand Prix 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.
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.
“It’s not what you want in the sport,” said the 29-year-old Dutchman. “I hope there is a lesson learnt.”
The episode was the latest in a difficult first season for the new era of cars and engines, with drivers at the pinnacle of motor racing unhappy since the opening race with the power units’ increased electrical component and the need for energy management.
The governing 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”.
The body added that it subsequently lifted restrictions on energy limit for all cars during the rain delay to allow teams to make adjustments to their power units before the race began.
A comprehensive review of the issue will be conducted together with the teams and power unit manufacturers in due course, said the FIA.
Its single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis told reporters the lack of pre-season 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,” said Tombazis. REUTERS