# Drivers report power loss during F1 formation lap

> F1 drivers describe software glitch halting race start with power loss.
- Title: Drivers report power loss during F1 formation lap · RaceFans
- Summary: F1 drivers describe software glitch halting race start with power loss. Formula 1 drivers experienced a software glitch during formation laps that caused…
- Keywords: formula 1, formation lap, power unit, software glitch, red flag, ferrari, mercedes, red bull, safety car, pit lane, bahrain grand prix, ferrari power unit
- Source: RaceFans — https://racefans.net/2026/10/05/im-stuck-i-dont-have-power-how-drivers-saw-formula-1s-formation-lap-fiasco
- Published: 2026-10-05T11:05:12+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: formula 1, formation lap, power unit, software glitch, red flag, ferrari, mercedes, red bull, safety car, pit lane, bahrain grand prix, ferrari power unit
## Formation lap chaos
Formula 1 drivers faced confusion as a software glitch caused some cars to slow to a crawl and others to stop entirely during yesterday’s grand prix.

> A software glitch struck much of the grid, causing some cars to slow to a crawl and others to stop entirely.
## Max Verstappen’s struggle
Verstappen’s car almost stopped at the front but a steering wheel switch fixed the issue, though he spotted a nail in his tire later.

> Verstappen slows at turn 10 Well, this is fucked. I can’t accelerate.
## Lewis Hamilton’s issue
Hamilton lost power and struggled to accelerate, but restarting his car resolved the problem after a software update.

> I’ve lost power. Something’s happened, I’ve got no… I’m just ticking over in first gear.
## Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s experience
Antonelli’s car remained unaffected, though he saw multiple drivers struggling with power loss and slow speeds.

> Er, Max has a problem I think.
## Charles Leclerc’s problem
Leclerc experienced power loss and struggled to accelerate, but his car eventually regained speed after instructions from his race engineer.

> I’m stuck, I don’t have power.
## Lando Norris’s issue
Norris lost power and nearly skidded off the track while trying to overtake slower cars, but the problem cleared quickly.

> Happening? I’ve got no power at all.
## Oscar Piastri’s situation
Piastri did not experience power loss and maintained speed while others struggled with the software glitch.

> Can I…
## George Russell’s problem
Russell faced similar issues to Antonelli but managed to keep his car moving while others struggled with power loss.

> So he was tight?
## Fernando Alonso’s experience
Alonso saw multiple drivers struggling with power loss and was allowed to pass slower cars during the formation lap.

> Fuck, now Bortoleto has a problem.
## Race control response
Race control abandoned the race start and summoned drivers back to pits for a software update, taking over an hour to resolve.

> Eventually race control abandoned the attempt to start the race and summoned the field back into the pits so the FIA could issue a software update.
## Software issue impact
The software glitch affected multiple power units, causing drivers to lose power and slow down during formation laps.

> It’s not working, guys.
## Red flag procedure
A red flag was issued as cars stopped on the track, leading to a pit lane procedure for drivers to restart the race.

> Red flag, red flag. They’re coming into the pit lane.
## Pit lane adjustments
Drivers were instructed to use pit limiters and maintain low gear speeds to avoid further issues during the restart.

> Pit limiter when you enter the pit lane.
## Race restart outcome
The race was restarted after drivers completed a software update, though some drivers lost starting positions due to the glitch.

> So we’ll just follow the Safety Car into the pit lane.
## Driver reactions
Drivers expressed frustration over the software glitch and its impact on race start procedures and starting positions.

> Why, why they put the red flag this is racing, you know, we go.
## Aftermath
The incident highlighted software vulnerabilities in F1 power units and led to race control issuing a software update to resolve the issue.

> It looks like all the Ferrari power units are struggling.
## Key takeaway

Formula 1 drivers experienced a software glitch during formation laps that caused power loss and slow speeds, leading to race control abandoning the start and issuing a software update.