# FIA explains F1 race stoppage in rain

> FIA reveals why F1 cars halted in rain at Bahrain GP.
- Title: FIA explains F1 race stoppage in rain · Motorsport | Shortify
- Summary: FIA reveals why F1 cars halted in rain at Bahrain GP. FIA confirmed F1 cars stopped due to software glitch from slow driving in rain, requiring 53-minute…
- Keywords: fia, bahrain gp, malaysia, software update, rain, throttle glitch, formation lap, sepang race, max verstappen, lewis hamilton, sergio perez, explains
- Source: Motorsport — https://motorsport.com/f1/news/fia-reveals-why-f1-cars-stopped-in-rain-at-bahrain-gp-in-malaysia/10861947
- Author: Ben Vinel
- Published: 2026-10-04T12:33:16+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: fia, f1, bahrain gp, malaysia, software update, rain, throttle glitch, formation lap, sepang race, max verstappen, lewis hamilton, sergio perez
## FIA explains race stoppage
The FIA revealed Formula 1 cars halted during the Sepang race start due to a software glitch.

> The start of the Sepang race was delayed by 40 minutes due to a downpour; then a chaotic formation lap saw the likes front-row starters Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton suffer from a glitch which rendered throttle input ineffective, with numerous cars coming to a standstill. The red flag was waved.
## Glitch caused by slow driving
Cars drove extremely slowly during the formation lap, triggering a software bug that prevented power redeployment.

> Basically, the formation lap, some cars went very slowly, almost came to a standstill. There was a bit of a concertina effect between cars, and some cars almost stopped completely. And that bug prevented the power to be redeployed and for the cars to start again.
## 47% electrical power issue
Formula 1’s new machinery uses 47% electrical power, making it vulnerable to rain-related software failures.

> the electronic side
## 53-minute delay for update
A 53-minute delay was needed to implement a software update after the race was halted.

> A software update therefore had to be carried out, hence a 53-minute delay to get the race restarted.
## FIA response time
The FIA team worked under time pressure to issue a software update within 20 minutes.

> Once the problem happened, our guys realised very quickly what was happening and had to work under a lot of time pressure for an update to the software, which was issued to the teams, and the teams had to install it on their cars.
## Driver reactions
Sergio Perez called the situation 'unacceptable' while Lando Norris described it as 'just horrible'.

> Sergio Perez ; Lando Norris described it as "just horrible" and evidence that "we shouldn't have any of that stuff, the electronic side"
## Fernando Alonso's comment
Fernando Alonso joked about his team's 50% DNFs this season during wet conditions.

> I had 50% DNFs this year, they never stopped the race for us.
## Key takeaway

FIA confirmed F1 cars stopped due to software glitch from slow driving in rain, requiring 53-minute update to restart race.