# F1 drivers frustrated by software glitch

> F1 drivers call software glitch 'horrible' as race start delayed.
- Title: F1 drivers frustrated by software glitch · Motorsport
- Summary: F1 drivers call software glitch 'horrible' as race start delayed. F1 drivers reported power unit software glitches during Bahrain GP formation laps, causing…
- Keywords: bahrain gp, software glitch, power unit, formation lap, red bull racing, mcclaren, mercedes, ferrari, fia, sports, cars, drivers
- Source: Motorsport — https://motorsport.com/f1/news/horrible-totally-unacceptable-powerless-f1-drivers-frustrated-by-bahrain-f1-software-glitch/10861968
- Author: Filip Cleeren
- Published: 2026-10-04T13:35:35+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: f1, bahrain gp, software glitch, power unit, formation lap, red bull racing, mcclaren, mercedes, ferrari, fia, sports, cars
## 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
## Key takeaway

F1 drivers reported power unit software glitches during Bahrain GP formation laps, causing a 50-minute delay before race restart.