"Disastrous, completely intolerable" - Helpless F1 drivers express their frustration over Bahrain F1 software malfunction

Top F1 competitors are expressing frustration over power unit software failures that disrupted the commencement of the Bahrain GP in Malaysia, with Lando Norris labeling the technical issues as "awful" and further evidence that F1 should transition away from hybrid systems.

The race start at a rain-soaked Sepang circuit had to be halted after numerous cars encountered severe software malfunctions. As this was the inaugural wet race for the new 2026 generation of cars, an error in the software while drivers operated at low speeds, initiated by the power unit controller's wet weather setting, caused cars to remain in idle mode during various stages of the two intended formation laps.

With multiple vehicles caught in this idle cycle, the FIA quickly developed and issued a software update for all 11 teams to implement during the subsequent red flag pause, lifting the usual power reductions for wet conditions in the affected areas. It took a 50-minute delay before the race could finally begin, marking a significant blemish for F1 ahead of what was otherwise an exciting, varied-weather contest.

As drivers already held reservations about the battery-heavy racing in F1 2026 and the overwhelming presence of electronics, this incident did little to boost their confidence in the current regulations.

"It's just awful. I don't know, it just shows that we shouldn't have any of that electronic stuff," Norris remarked, one of the few Mercedes-powered drivers affected by the glitch.

"I've never witnessed an F1 race postponed due to a software bug. That was a first," Piastri quipped. "I got stuck for about a second. When the turbo isn't functioning on these cars, you might as well push the vehicle instead of relying on the engine. It was quite strange. It wasn't a good look, but I think it would be unfair to blame anyone before we have an explanation."

Cadillac's Sergio Perez, who was behind the wheel of one of several Ferrari-powered cars impacted, was less forgiving. "It felt like you were in a rental kart that had run out of time," the Mexican described. "You were pressing the accelerator, and nothing was happening."

"I'm sure we will learn from this as a sport. But what transpired today is completely unacceptable for the series."

Haas driver Oliver Bearman stated that it was "terrifying" to have his throttle pedal disabled by factors beyond his control. "I've never experienced anything like that. I was taken aback," he commented. "I didn't even realize that the FIA could override our throttle pedal. That was quite frightening, actually. My throttle pedal ceased functioning, but it appeared that everyone else's did as well. The engine was just idling."

Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso expressed that there is now "too much technology" involved in the series and believed "the fans don’t really value it" either. Meanwhile, race victor Max Verstappen, whose slow start contributed to the bug, compared the chaos of the formation lap to a Lego go-kart race at Silverstone.

"That’s the issue we face," the Dutchman said. "These engines are incredibly complex, and a lot of software is integrated. I triggered it first, and then I looked in my mirror and thought: 'Wait, are they waiting for me or what’s happening...?'

"It was reminiscent of the Lego race, at the same speed. At one point we were five-wide on the straight because we couldn’t figure out what was going on. Then we completed a lap and I noticed eight other cars still crawling."

"What can you say? I mean, that’s not what you want for the sport, is it?" 

Images from F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Sunday