F1 needs to have hard look at itself – Sainz

Williams driver Carlos Sainz stated that Formula 1 must examine its regulatory decisions following unprecedented software glitches at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on Sunday. A bug in the wet-weather engine map prevented multiple cars from moving on the formation laps, forcing officials to abandon the initial start and delay the race by 90 minutes while replacement code was distributed.

The governing FIA has launched a full review into the incident, which stemmed from complex power unit regulations governing the near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies backed calls to keep car system complexity under control, while F1 and engine manufacturers are already discussing future adjustments.