Sainz criticises F1 rule complexity as FIA reviews Malaysia software failure

Carlos Sainz has criticised the complexity of Formula 1's regulations after a software fault disrupted Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, while the FIA has begun a review of the incident. According to BBC Sport, the Williams driver said the championship needed to learn from the decisions that produced the current rules, rather than repeat them.

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Several cars struggled to move during the formation laps because of a bug affecting a wet-weather engine setting. The original start was abandoned and replacement software was issued before racing could begin. The delay lasted about 90 minutes. BBC Sport reported that limited running in wet conditions this year meant the particular circumstances behind the fault had not previously occurred.

Sainz, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, directed his criticism at decisions taken several years earlier. He said the regulations had become difficult for drivers, teams and power-unit manufacturers alike. He also acknowledged the efforts of the FIA and Formula 1 to manage the situation, separating their current response from his criticism of the framework they were implementing.

The fault involved a rule that reduces electrical output in wet conditions from 350kW to 250kW. This season's engine regulations divide power almost equally between internal combustion and electricity, with batteries deploying and recovering energy repeatedly during a lap. BBC Sport's report explained that restrictions on energy recovery leave the cars unable to sustain maximum output throughout, an issue teams had warned about since at least 2023.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies also called on the sport to contain the complexity of its cars and systems. Speaking on Monday, he said he expected discussions involving teams, the FIA and Formula 1 about preventing a recurrence. The governing body's review follows the interruption in Malaysia; the report did not set out completed findings or a timetable for their publication.

Changes to the wider engine rules are already under way. The permitted amount of energy recovery varies by circuit this year, and the balance of power is due to shift towards internal combustion in two stages, reaching 60-40 by 2028. Formula 1 officials and engine suppliers are also working on a subsequent engine formula, but the BBC report described its eventual configuration as still being finalised.