FIA Completes Sepang Software Investigation; Patch Retained for Singapore as Permanent Update Awaits Austin
Following a chaotic start delay in Malaysia where multiple 2026-spec F1 cars lost power during wet formation laps, the FIA completed its investigation—confirming an unexpected software glitch under low-RPM wet energy management and promising a full system update by the U.S. Grand Prix.
SINGAPORE — The FIA has officially concluded its investigation into the software malfunction that disrupted the start of last weekend's Grand Prix at Sepang, confirming that the temporary patch deployed trackside will remain active if rain hits the Singapore Grand Prix.
The incident occurred during wet formation laps when several new-generation 2026 cars—including those driven by Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Pérez, and Nico Hülkenberg—experienced a sudden, unrecoverable loss of hybrid power. According to the governing body’s findings, the failure was triggered by a unique interaction between low engine RPM under safety car conditions, low-grip wet track surfaces, and specific 250kW power reduction algorithms within the 2026 power unit energy management software.
While teams and engine manufacturers had previously simulated wet-weather software parameters and conducted preliminary testing during practice sessions at Spa and Zandvoort, the exact combination of environmental and throttle inputs at Sepang caused the electronic control systems to lock drivers out of recovering full propulsion in affected sectors.
Following a 48-minute race suspension, FIA technical delegates successfully pushed an emergency software patch across all competitor power unit architectures, allowing the race to proceed safely.
The FIA confirmed that this interim configuration will be reinstated if rain impacts Marina Bay this weekend. A comprehensive, permanent software update and revised ECU verification framework are scheduled for deployment ahead of the United States Grand Prix at Austin on October 25.