Formula One drivers have voiced their displeasure after a software issue disrupted the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with many likening the chaotic scenes to a "Lego race." The problem, stemming from the cars' algorithms struggling to handle a wet track, caused significant delays and confusion before the race could properly begin.
Max Verstappen, who eventually won the race, stated that he hopes a "lesson learned" will come from the incident. "It's not what you want in the sport," he commented after the race. Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time champion, drew parallels between the slow-moving cars and pre-race promotional events involving Lego cars.
"It was like the Lego race. Same speed," Hamilton remarked. The on-board software controlling the cars' electrical hybrid power systems appeared to be thwarted by drivers using less acceleration due to the slippery conditions. According to Verstappen, the cars "bogged down" when attempting to run at low speeds, such as 35 kph (22 mph) on an uphill section.
Drivers were attempting formation laps behind the safety car to assess the track conditions after an initial delay due to a storm. However, several cars lost power or stopped entirely. Kimi Antonelli, who started third, found himself behind a slow-moving Hamilton as his team scrambled to resolve a software issue. "I'm pressing the throttle and nothing's happening," Hamilton could be heard saying before stopping to restart his systems.
The situation led to a second suspension of the start. Teams were seen pushing their cars into the correct sequence in the pit lane as the mixed-up order needed rectifying. Verstappen joked that the delay was due to "some had some faster laptops than others" as teams updated their software.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris called for the complete removal of software from modern power units, describing the event as "horrible." George Russell and Charles Leclerc also criticized the complexity of the 2026 power units, deeming them "too complicated" and "scary."
This incident is not the first time software has caused issues with the 2026-specification cars, which feature a near 50-50 split between engine and battery power. George Russell had previously blamed the electrical system's code for a lack of pace at the Belgian Grand Prix. In Australia, Oscar Piastri spun into a wall on a formation lap due to unexpected power delivery, and Valtteri Bottas reportedly blamed software confusion for a crash in Azerbaijan.
The embrace of electrical power for 2026 has introduced complex software governing energy deployment. When this software becomes confused about the car's location on the circuit, it can lead to wasted energy or unexpected power jolts. The race ultimately proceeded with only a few laps of wet-weather action before transitioning to a largely dry track.