Hamilton says wet‑weather F1 races have lost their edge after Malaysia software glitch
The seven‑time champion criticised the cautious approach and a power‑loss software issue that halted the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Lewis Hamilton told reporters in Singapore that wet‑weather Formula One races are no longer the "seat‑of‑your‑pants" events they once were, after a software‑related power loss forced a 53‑minute delay to the Bahrain Grand Prix held at Sepang, Malaysia.
What happened
On the weekend of 5 October 2026, the Bahrain Grand Prix – staged at the Sepang International Circuit as a stand‑in for a postponed Malaysian round – was set to start in heavy rain. On the formation lap, several drivers, including Hamilton and Max Verstappen, experienced a sudden loss of power linked to a 50‑50 split between combustion and battery output. Race officials abandoned the start, sent the grid back to the pit lane and required a new software download to the cars. After a 53‑minute pause, the track had dried enough for teams to run a mix of intermediate and slick tyres, and the race finally began.
What the reports add
The Independent’s two pieces both note that the power‑loss issue stemmed from a software bug that reduced engine output at low RPM, a problem the FIA is set to fix before the Singapore Grand Prix (see Felo coverage). Both articles describe the delay as "shambolic" and highlight that full‑wet tyres are now rarely used in modern F1. One report adds that the delay left the track significantly drier than at the scheduled start time, forcing drivers onto a mixed tyre strategy.
What was said
Hamilton said, "Wet‑weather races aren’t the same as we used to have, for sure. I’ve had great races, in 2008 in the rain, and ultimately back then we had more testing and we did have better tyres for the rain. I love wet racing more than anything else," as quoted by the Independent.
How it came about
Earlier practice sessions for the makeshift Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia were dry, leaving teams uncertain about wet‑weather performance (Felo report). The FIA later announced a software update to prevent the power‑reduction bug that affected Hamilton and Verstappen at Sepang. Hamilton’s comments come ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, where the updated software will be applied.
Key facts
- The start of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia was delayed by 53 minutes due to a software‑related power loss. (independent.co.uk)
- Lewis Hamilton said wet‑weather races are no longer the same as they were in the past. (independent.co.uk)
- The power‑loss issue was linked to a 50‑50 split between combustion and battery power on the formation lap. (independent.co.uk)
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 — Dry practice sessions held for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
- 2026-10-05 — Power‑loss software glitch forces 53‑minute delay to race start at Sepang.
- 2026-10-08 — FIA announces software update to be applied before Singapore Grand Prix.
