Formula 1 drivers expressed frustration after a power unit software glitch delayed the start of the wet Bahrain Grand Prix at Malaysia's Sepang circuit by 50 minutes.
The issue occurred during the formation laps when low driving speeds triggered a bug in the wet weather power unit controller, leaving multiple cars stuck in idle mode.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) deployed a rapid software patch to all 11 teams during a red flag stoppage to resolve the reduced power restrictions.
Drivers Criticize Hybrid Systems
McLaren driver Lando Norris, who was among the affected competitors, voiced his frustration regarding the complex hybrid systems.
"It's just horrible.
I don't know, it just proves that we shouldn't have any of that stuff, the electronic side," said Norris.
His teammate Oscar Piastri noted the unprecedented nature of the technical delay while calling for a full explanation from officials.
"I've never seen an F1 race delayed by a bug. That was a new one," said Piastri.
"I got stuck for about a second.
When the turbo doesn't work on these things, you might as well push the car instead of using an engine.
It was quite bizarre.
It wasn't a great look, but I think it would be unfair to point the finger before there's an explanation."
Cadillac driver Sergio Perez also described the loss of propulsion as completely unacceptable for top-tier motorsport.
"It felt like you were in a rental kart and you ran out of time," said Perez.
"You were putting your foot down and accelerating and nothing was coming."
Perez added that the series must draw lessons from the failure.
"I'm sure we will learn from it as a sport. But what happened today is totally unacceptable for the sport," said Perez.
Haas driver Oliver Bearman recalled the alarming experience of losing electronic throttle response completely during the formation run.
"I've never seen anything like that. I was shocked," said Bearman.
"I didn't even know that the FIA could control our throttle pedal. That was quite scary, actually.
My throttle pedal stopped working, but it looks like everybody stopped working as well. The engine was just idling."
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso stated that there is now "too much technology" in the series that spectators do not appreciate.
Race winner Max Verstappen, whose initial slow getaway triggered the cascade of software locks, detailed how the problem unfolded behind him.
"That's the problem that we have," said Verstappen. "These engines are so complicated and a lot of software is implemented.
I triggered it first and then I looked in my mirror and I was like: 'Wait, are they waiting for me or what's going on...?'"
Verstappen noted that multiple vehicles were rendered unable to move properly across the grid.
"Then we did a lap and then I saw eight other cars crawling still. What can you say?
I mean, that's not what you want for the sport, right?" said Verstappen.
The FIA and engine manufacturers are conducting further analysis into the root cause of the continuous offset software lockdown prior to the next championship round.
