Andrea Stella: F1 needs to steer clear of a Sepang repeat, yet "acknowledge that occasional errors are inevitable."
McLaren F1 team principal Andrea Stella acknowledges that severe software issues, like those witnessed during Sunday’s Bahrain GP in Malaysia, are a potential risk under the current regulations, but he expressed hope that the FIA can prevent a recurrence.
The race start at the rainy Sepang circuit was halted after numerous cars experienced a significant software malfunction that left them unable to accelerate during the formation laps. This bug emerged due to several contributing factors, thoroughly detailed here, during F1's inaugural wet race for this generation of intricate power units.
A 50-minute delay ensued before the race could commence, during which FIA engineers developed a hotfix and distributed it to the teams for installation on their vehicles. This interruption marked a notable setback for F1 ahead of what otherwise proved to be an engaging race with varying weather conditions.
Andrea Stella, whose drivers were impacted but to a lesser degree than some competitors, emphasized the necessity for F1 to steer clear of a repeat of the Sepang incident while also showing empathy for the situation.
"We must recognize that Formula 1 has performed admirably in crafting the new regulations, despite some uncertainties regarding power unit performance," Stella commented. "It's important to appreciate the significant efforts put in to enhance the show and improve the racing. If occasional glitches occur, we must accept that such issues can affect everyone."
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
He continued: "When considering the various teams, we have many. If this relates to the sport or common software challenges, we need to adopt a mindset of acceptance and support to ensure it doesn't recur. However, as a competitor, I would feel uneasy stating that this did not meet appropriate standards, especially since we encounter numerous issues practically every weekend.
"Given the level of innovation, we can understand that certain elements may require some adjustment."
FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis addressed the matter following the race, assuring that the specific issue faced in Sepang will not be repeated. "Clearly, that was a significant concern, and we must ensure it doesn't occur again.
“But can I promise it will never happen again? This particular issue, yes. A problem, no. However, we will strive to prevent it, naturally.”
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