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FIA to Investigate Software Bug After Bahrain GP in Malaysia
On Sunday, the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia faced a chaotic 40-minute delay as hybrid cars failed to operate in wet conditions, prompting the FIA to order a full review.
An unprecedented combination of low engine speeds and energy management settings caused power loss as Formula One's hybrid cars faced their first wet-weather test this season, catching teams and the FIA Technical Department unprepared.
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton reported acceleration failures during the formation lap, with Ferrari's Hamilton describing the experience as a 'Lego race' and briefly stopping on track to restart his car.
During a 53-minute delay, the FIA distributed an updated software release removing energy limit constraints, enabling teams to adjust power units before the race restart and allowing the event to proceed.
FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis cited insufficient pre-season wet-weather testing as a contributing factor, while the incident renewed criticism of Formula One's complex hybrid regulations and heavy software reliance.
Drivers blamed the farce on the systems used by the cars, while the International Automobile Federation (FIA) explained the problems by the circumstances.