WorldDraft
FIA to review software bug after cars lose power at Sepang
The governing body says wet conditions and energy-management settings contributed to power loss on the formation lap before the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
Event
Software bug leaves multiple cars struggling before Malaysian Grand Prix
A software bug caused several cars to lose power on the formation lap at Sepang after heavy rain delayed the Bahrain Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton stopped and restarted his car on track, while Max Verstappen went on to win. The FIA said an unusual combination of low engine speed, wet conditions, energy management settings and circuit layout triggered the issue. It removed an energy limit through a software update and will review the problem with teams and engine manufacturers.
2 published stories · formula-one · source reliability 67%
Background
Why this event matters
Several cars lost power on the formation lap at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit before the Bahrain Grand Prix, following a heavy-rain delay. The FIA said an unusual mix of low engine speed, wet conditions, energy-management settings and Sepang’s sector layout triggered the software bug. It removed an energy-limit constraint with a software update and plans to review the issue with teams and engine manufacturers. The FIA’s explanation is preliminary; the report does not say how many cars were affected.
event-brief
Software bug leaves multiple cars struggling before Malaysian Grand Prix
Several cars lost power on the formation lap at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit before the Bahrain Grand Prix, following a heavy-rain delay. The FIA said an unusual mix of low engine speed, wet conditions, energy-management settings and Sepang’s sector layout triggered the software bug
Reporting trail
Al Jazeera Global News | https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/10/5/formula-one-to-probe-software-bug-behind-bahrain-gp-chaos-in-sepang | published 2026-10-05T09:02:06.000Z | primary sourceAl Jazeera Global News | Main report for the incident, FIA statement, driver accounts and planned investigation.BBC Sport, via same-event context | Corroborates that several cars lost speed and that the FIA cited untested conditions.BBC Sport | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/cwg7x820k9xjo | published 2026-10-04T16:58:56.000Z | primary sourceBBC Sport source | Main reporting on the glitch, driver comments, FIA response and race.Event digest | Concise summary of the reported incident and result.Retrieved historical context | Background on the race result and delayed start.Retrieved background cards | Contract and prior engine-regulation context.
Fact cards
entity brief
Software bug leaves multiple cars struggling before Malaysian Grand Prix: key people and institutions
Key entities: FIA, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen.
faq brief
Software bug leaves multiple cars struggling before Malaysian Grand Prix: key questions
Where did the Bahrain Grand Prix incident happen? At Sepang circuit in Malaysia. What caused cars to lose power? The FIA cited a combination of low engine speed, wet conditions, energy settings and circuit layout. What did the FIA do during the delay? It removed an energy-limit c
source brief
Software bug leaves multiple cars struggling before Malaysian Grand Prix: reporting sources
Al Jazeera Global News | https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/10/5/formula-one-to-probe-software-bug-behind-bahrain-gp-chaos-in-sepang | published 2026-10-05T09:02:06.000Z | primary source | Al Jazeera Global News | Main report for the incident, FIA statement, driver accounts an
timeline brief
Software bug leaves multiple cars struggling before Malaysian Grand Prix: timeline
Before the formation lap: Heavy rain delayed the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang. Formation lap: Several cars lost power; Lewis Hamilton stopped and restarted his car on track. During the rain delay: The FIA removed an energy-limit constraint in affected sectors through a software u
Timeline
Before the formation lap
Heavy rain delayed the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang.
Formation lap
Several cars lost power; Lewis Hamilton stopped and restarted his car on track.
During the rain delay
The FIA removed an energy-limit constraint in affected sectors through a software update.
Race
Max Verstappen won; conditions dried during the race.
2026-10-05
The FIA said it would review the bug with teams and engine manufacturers.
FAQ
Where did the Bahrain Grand Prix incident happen?
At Sepang circuit in Malaysia.
What caused cars to lose power?
The FIA cited a combination of low engine speed, wet conditions, energy settings and circuit layout.
What did the FIA do during the delay?
It removed an energy-limit constraint in affected sectors with a software update.
What happens next?
The FIA plans to review the issue with teams and engine manufacturers.
How many cars were affected?
The report does not specify.
What caused cars to struggle?
The report attributes it to a software bug affecting engine electrical power in wet conditions; the technical root cause is not specified.
What happened to the starting order?
It was reset to the original grid positions after the formation-lap glitch.
What did the FIA say?
It would investigate and seek to prevent a repeat; findings were not yet available.
Who finished on the podium?
Verstappen won and Hamilton was third; the retrieved material names Kimi Antonelli as runner-up.