Glitch stalls Hamilton’s F1 car during Bahrain’s wet formation lap

A software glitch turned the opening race in Bahrain into a “Lego race,” as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton described it after their cars struggled to move during a wet formation lap. The bug, triggered by low engine speeds, low grip and specific circuit features, caused the power‑management system to misbehave, leaving several front‑row cars crawling or stopping on track. Verstappen, who went on to win the race, and Hamilton, who finished third, were the only drivers to be visibly affected during the session.

The incident happened on a rain‑slick track that delayed the start by over an hour. Engineers had set the engines to a mode that limits electrical power when traction is low, a safety feature that had never before been tested under such conditions. The combination of wet tyres, slow engine revolutions and the layout of the Bahrain circuit triggered a software error that prevented the cars from drawing power from the battery and engine. The effect was so pronounced that drivers had to stop, restart and even manually intervene to get their cars moving again.

Verstappen likened the scene to a Lego F1 show that had taken place before the British Grand Prix, while Hamilton admitted he had never had to stop on track to restart the engine. Mercedes’ George Russell, who retired from the race with an engine failure, said “It didn’t feel very F1.” The FIA’s single‑seater director, Nikolas Tombazis, confirmed a full investigation would follow, noting the software had been tested but not in the exact wet conditions that arose. He said the governing body would review the incident to prevent a repeat, though he could not guarantee it would never happen again.

The incident highlights the growing complexity of modern F1 cars, where electrical and combustion systems must work together under tight safety margins. It also underscores the importance of rigorous testing across all weather scenarios, a challenge the sport has struggled with this season due to limited wet practice sessions. The FIA’s findings will likely prompt updates to power‑management protocols and could influence how teams approach software validation in the months ahead.