Bahrain GP formation lap chaos

F1 drivers reported power unit software glitches during Bahrain GP formation laps.

“horrible, totally unacceptable”

Software glitch triggered by wet weather

A bug in the software when drivers were driving at very low speeds triggered by the power unit controller's wet weather mode.

Drivers stuck in idle loop

Several cars stuck into idle mode during the two planned formation laps.

FIA delivers software patch

FIA rapidly coded and delivered a software patch for all 11 teams to install during the red flag stoppage.

50-minute race delay

The race start was delayed by 50 minutes after the software patch was installed.

Lando Norris reaction

Norris called the electronic glitches 'horrible' and said F1 should move away from hybrids.

“it's just horrible. i don't know, it just proves that we shouldn't have any of that stuff, the electronic side”

Piastri's comment

Piastri said the glitch was bizarre and unfair to point the finger without explanation.

“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”

Sergio Perez reaction

Perez described the glitch as feeling like being in a rental kart with no acceleration.

“it felt like you were in a rental kart and you ran out of time”

Oliver Bearman reaction

Bearman said his throttle pedal stopped working unexpectedly and was scared.

“i've never seen anything like that. i was shocked. i didn't even know that the fia could control our throttle pedal”

Max Verstappen reaction

Verstappen compared the formation lap chaos to a Lego go-kart race.

“that’s the problem that we have. these engines are so complicated and a lot of software is implemented”