F1 Drivers Condemn 50-50 Engine Rules After 53-Minute Bahrain GP Delay
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Oct 4
F1 Drivers Condemn 50-50 Engine Rules After 53-Minute Bahrain GP Delay
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Oct 4
Summary
53 minutes after the aborted start, Bahrain GP drivers emerged blasting Formula One’s engine rules after software-triggered power losses left cars stopping on track and crawling through wet formation laps.
The FIA said insufficiently tested engine-control software failed in low-grip conditions, causing an unintended loss of power and forcing teams back to the pit lane for an update.
Lewis Hamilton said he had to stop and restart on track, Kimi Antonelli called the scenes “insane,” and Max Verstappen said the episode was not what the sport wanted.
The backlash revived wider anger at the current power-unit formula—roughly a 50-50 split between electric and combustion power—which drivers say is too complex and will not be materially changed until 2028.