A controversial decision by the FIA to revert to the original grid order at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia has ignited debate among Formula 1 personnel. The ruling followed a chaotic formation lap where Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari encountered a significant software issue. This incident led to a prolonged delay before the race start at the Sepang International Circuit.
Hamilton’s car experienced a software problem in its engine, causing it to slow dramatically on the straight and eventually halt. The Ferrari driver communicated over team radio, stating, ‘I’m pressing the throttle and nothing is happening!’ This issue was not isolated, with Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, as well as both Cadillac and Haas cars, also struggling due to apparent Ferrari-powered unit complications.
Former Formula 1 engineer Bernadette Collins, speaking on Sky Sports, suggested the FIA’s decision deviated from established regulations. She highlighted a specific rule concerning the suspension of a race’s start procedure.
‘I agree with going back to the grid order because that was so chaotic, but there is literally a rule written for suspension of start procedure that says in black and white: ‘F1 cars entering the pit lane behind the safety car will start in the order they entered the pit lane.’
Collins acknowledged the unprecedented chaos but underscored the clear wording of the regulation. She noted that teams which had gained positions during the formation lap, whether through skill or fortune, would feel disadvantaged by the reversion to the original grid.
Conversely, Mercedes Deputy Team Principal Bradley Lord offered a different perspective. He indicated that, from his interpretation, the rules supported reverting to the grid order. Lord reasoned that the cars were still within a formation lap, and the official start procedure had not yet commenced.
Lord described the situation as ‘unknown territory’ but concluded that returning to the original grid ‘probably makes the most sense.’ The incident occurred amidst heavy rain and lightning, which had already delayed the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang by 40 minutes.
The grid for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia had already seen alterations prior to the formation lap chaos. Isack Hadjar, who qualified third for Red Bull, incurred a five-place grid penalty for exceeding his power unit component allocation.
This penalty promoted championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes to third position, with Charles Leclerc moving up to fourth. Antonelli currently holds a significant lead in the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship standings.
Adding to Ferrari’s eventful weekend, Lewis Hamilton also received a warning, and the team was fined €10,000 for an impeding incident involving Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto during Free Practice 2. The FIA deemed Ferrari failed to provide adequate radio warnings to Hamilton, whose vision was hampered by a damaged mirror.
