SINGAPORE — The FIA have completed their investigation into the chaos at Sepang and outlined a two-stage software fix ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, after half the field came to a standstill behind the safety car in the opening phase in Malaysia. The governing body confirmed the issue was a software bug linked to the 250kW restrictions imposed for wet-weather races, with Nikolas Tombazis having provided an initial explanation immediately after the race before a more in-depth review was conducted across four crucial areas.
The review concluded that "some cars running on low engine RPM in certain circuit sectors where a 250kW power reduction was applied experienced a loss of power beyond the original intent and that could not be recovered in those sectors." In the slowest parts of the circuit the electric motors went into lock-down mode, leaving no electric power available to offset turbo lag so nothing happened when drivers pressed the throttle pedal. The FIA intervened with a rapid software update sent to all teams and manufacturers to install ahead of the restart, with the emergency solution to lift the restrictions associated with the 250kW limit in certain minisectors where the problem occurred.
The same temporary configuration will be reinstated in Singapore should similar weather conditions be expected, before a more permanent update follows. "As a result, the configuration established for the Sepang event will be reinstated for the Singapore Grand Prix should similar weather conditions be expected. Additionally, a further update to the wet weather software will be released for the United States Grand Prix on 25 October," the FIA said. Tombazis had already said the specific problem would not happen again, but cautioned on the complexity of the 2026 power units: "Obviously, that was a major criticality and we need to make sure we avoid it. But can I guarantee it will never happen again? This specific problem, yes. A problem, no. But we will do our best to avoid it, of course."
The FIA's single-seater director had indicated the software had not been tested sufficiently due to a lack of wet-weather running in 2026, but the governing body clarified the software was indeed tested during the opening practice sessions for the Belgian and Dutch Grands Prix without the issue surfacing. Logically that was because cars were completing laps at normal speeds during those runs and did not reach the extremely low speeds encountered behind the safety car in Malaysia.
To make the system as robust as possible, the review recommended strengthened testing and verification despite limited opportunities. "The FIA, together with the teams and Power Unit Manufacturers (PUMs), will continue to strengthen Power Unit software testing and verification capabilities, enhancing the overall validation process through independent assessment and collaborative feedback, including input from the supplier of the standardised Electronics Control Unit (ECU)," the statement said. The findings follow Helmut Marko branding the software failure shameful after the Sepang disruption.