Bahrain Grand Prix delay

Formula 1’s 2026 engine regulations faced criticism after Bahrain Grand Prix formation lap delay.

Formation lap software issue

Pole-winner Max Verstappen and several drivers slowed to a crawl as power units wouldn’t allow acceleration.

Verstappen’s Lego comparison

Verstappen said he had as much power as in Lego promotional event, describing cars as crawling at same speed.

“It was like the Lego race. Same speed. It was insane, it’s the Lego power.”

FIA explanation

FIA attributed power loss to low engine speed, low-grip conditions, wet-weather settings and Sepang circuit configuration.

Driver reactions

Drivers reported cars still crawling after lap despite inability to understand software issue.

“At some point we were five-wide on the straight because we couldn’t understand what was going on. Then we did a lap and then i see eight other cars crawling still”