Formula 1 returned to Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit for the first time since 2017, and the weekend quickly turned into a technical showdown. After a 40‑minute rain delay, officials attempted to start the race, only to encounter a software‑related power‑loss problem that forced a second, 33‑minute pause.

Delays and diagnostics

The initial rain‑induced hold‑up gave teams a chance to assess track conditions, but when the lights finally went out, drivers reported that their cars struggled to accelerate. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen warned over the radio that his car was “struggling,” and Lewis Hamilton, slated to start second, experienced even greater difficulty, eventually stopping in the pit lane.

Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord explained to Sky Sports F1 that all teams received new parameters to load into their cars during the second delay. He suggested a “software issue of some kind” was behind the loss of power that many drivers experienced on the formation lap.

Software fix and race start

Technical crews worked quickly, distributing an updated software release that removed the energy‑limit constraint in the affected sectors of the circuit. Once the fix was applied, the race finally began, and Verstappen seized the opportunity to take his first win of the season, finishing ahead of Antonelli and Hamilton.

In the post‑race FIA press conference, Verstappen likened the chaotic start to a “Lego race,” noting the complexity of modern engines and the need for rapid software updates. Hamilton admitted he had never stopped his car on track before and hoped the incident would provide a lesson for future races.

Driver reactions

Several drivers questioned the decision to allow cars that had stopped to rejoin the grid. Fernando Alonso remarked, “It’s the first time I see it,” expressing surprise at the unprecedented handling of the situation. Others, including Hamilton, joked that some teams simply had “faster laptops” to load the new software.

FIA response

The FIA issued a statement promising a full review of the incident. It described an “unprecedented combination of low engine speed, low‑grip conditions, wet‑weather energy management settings and the Sepang circuit’s sector configuration” that led to the unintended power loss. The governing body emphasized that the issue was not detected during testing or the laps to the grid and pledged to work with teams and power‑unit manufacturers to prevent a recurrence.

Championship implications

Verstappen’s victory moved him further ahead in the drivers’ standings, while Antonelli’s second‑place finish narrowed the gap to his teammate George Russell, who retired from the race. As the season heads toward its final stretch, the next Grand Prix will take place in Singapore.

Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.