Software glitch halts formation laps at Sepang during F1 race
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 5, 2026, 6:30 AM
Last updated Oct 5, 2026
At the Sepang International Circuit, Formula 1's race was abruptly halted due to an untested wet-weather software glitch that grounded many cars during the formation laps. Drivers, including Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, reported severe performance issues, leading to an aborted start. Engineers scrambled to implement an emergency firmware patch while the power units failed to re-deploy electric power under low grip conditions. Race Control was forced to pause the event for repairs, and the FIA has committed to a thorough investigation into the technical regulations that contributed to the issue.
- •Formation laps at Sepang were halted due to software issues.
- •Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton criticized car performance.
- •An emergency firmware patch was deployed to fix the glitch.
- •The FIA plans a full investigation into the regulatory failures.
- •Concerns grow over the technical regulations impacting race integrity.
- 6:30 AMYahoo Sports — Software Storm at Sepang: How an untested wet-weather glitch brought F1 to a standstill
"Formula 1 witnessed one of the most surreal spectacles in modern Grand Prix history on Sunday when an untested wet-weather software setting grounded half the grid to a crawl during the formation laps at the Sepang International Circuit, triggering an aborted start, an impromptu pit-lane patching operation, and scathing feedback from world champions, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who said the series was like a 'Lego race'. What was supposed to be a showcase of wet-weather prowess in Malaysia
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