# Formula 1 Formation Lap Software Glitch

> Hamilton and Verstappen warn F1 must learn from formation lap software chaos.
- Title: Formula 1 Formation Lap Software Glitch · RaceFans | Shortify
- Summary: Hamilton and Verstappen warn F1 must learn from formation lap software chaos. Hamilton and Verstappen described a software glitch that slowed F1 cars during…
- Keywords: formula 1, bahrain grand prix, software glitch, lewis hamilton, max verstappen, formation lap, fia, race control, sports, cars, Formula, Formation
- Source: RaceFans — https://racefans.net/2026/10/04/formula-1-must-learn-lessons-from-formation-lap-shambles-at-sepang-hamilton
- Published: 2026-10-04T13:56:46+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: formula 1, bahrain grand prix, software glitch, lewis hamilton, max verstappen, formation lap, fia, race control, sports, cars
## Formation Lap Delay
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen criticized the delay to the start of the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia due to a software problem affecting both cars.
## Software Glitch Impact
Both drivers and rivals slowed to a crawl during the formation lap, causing F1 to abandon the race start attempt.
## Verstappen's Experience
Verstappen described being five-wide on the straight due to confusion, then seeing eight cars crawling after completing a lap.

> It was insane, at some point we were five-wide on the straight because we couldn’t understand what was going on.
## Hamilton's Car Stop
Hamilton's Ferrari came to a complete stop on track, requiring him to restart the car and engine after a software update.

> I had to stop on track and stop the car and engine and restart it, I’ve never done that before.
## Software Fix Process
Race control distributed revised software parameters to teams after the FIA removed energy limit constraints in affected sectors.

> They had to update the software and then you have to load it into the car.
## Driver Explanations
Verstappen explained the cars lost speed while going uphill, causing a temporary bog down that required multiple software rounds to fix.

> It was just like driving at 35 kilometres, going uphill, actually losing speed.
## Key takeaway

Hamilton and Verstappen described a software glitch that slowed F1 cars during the Bahrain Grand Prix formation lap, causing delays and requiring software updates.