F1 looks amateurish and incompetent after farcical scenes in Sepang | Giles Richards

The Guardian's Giles Richards argues that Formula One appeared amateurish and incompetent following severe software glitches during the Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia. The race start was suspended after wet-weather conditions and low speeds caused the power-delivery software to malfunction, leaving Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and others crawling to a halt. Following a 53-minute delay for an FIA software patch, Verstappen went on to win the restarted race.

Richards criticizes the sport's hybrid engine regulations, arguing that the chaotic scenes exposed deeply flawed rules that leave drivers overly dependent on complex software. Although F1 leadership defended the overall entertainment value, Richards highlights that drivers openly mocked the fiasco and warns that no quick regulatory fixes exist.