The FIA has completed a thorough review of the circumstances which necessitated the release of a Power Unit software configurations upgrade ahead of the race start of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

The review focused on these key areas:

• The precise cause of the loss of power experienced by a number of cars on the formation lap

• Measures that can be introduced to mitigate a recurrence of the same issues

• The future management of wet-weather Power Unit settings (energy limit restraints)

• Learnings from the data from individual team and Power Unit manufacturers

The review concluded that some cars running on low engine RPM in certain circuit sectors where a 250kW power reduction was applied experienced a loss of power beyond the original intent and that could not be recovered in those sectors.

As a result, the configuration established for the Sepang event will be reinstated for the Singapore Grand Prix should similar weather conditions be expected. Additionally, a further update to the wet weather software will be released for the United States Grand Prix.

The review also recommended that measures would be implemented for testing of the software, recognising that opportunities for testing are limited, to make it robust as possible. The FIA , together with the teams and Power Unit Manufacturers (PUMs), will continue to strengthen Power Unit software testing and verification capabilities, enhancing the overall validation process through independent assessment and collaborative feedback, including input from the supplier of the standardised Electronics Control Unit (ECU).

The FIA would like to address comments suggesting that the software had not been tested prior to its deployment. Before implementation, teams and Power Unit manufacturers conducted simulation exercises to validate the software package, which was subsequently tested in full-scale running during Free Practice 1 sessions at both the Belgian Grand Prix and the Dutch Grand Prix.

On Sunday, the sequence of software installation and integration was as follows:

• 15:45: The race start procedure was suspended following two formation laps after a number of cars experienced power loss issues.

• 15:50: Within five minutes of the suspension the FIA technical team had identified the cause of the issue and released an updated Power Unit software configurations designed to address the problem.

• 16:03: Eighteen minutes after the suspension the FIA provided teams with further technical guidance and clarifications in response to implementation, installation and operation of the revised software configurations.

• 16:20: Teams and Power Unit manufacturers then completed the integration process, with all competitors ready to start the race approximately 20 minutes later.

• 16:22: The 10-minutes signal to start the race was issued.

• 16:33: Cars left the pit lane for the race start procedure.

The FIA said it would like to recognise and thank all stakeholders amongst the teams, Power Unit manufacturers and its own technical team for their diligence and responsiveness during the interruption. Their collective efforts enabled the issue to be identified, addressed and resolved, allowing the race to proceed safely.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 22 minutes ago

"" Measures that can be introduced to mitigate a recurrence of the same issues"

I can suggest a simple two step process for that; Step 1. remove the components. Step 2. Stick said components right your a*ses. Problem solved.

Let the drivers drive the bloody cars, they can decide the amount of throttle and brake needed for the conditions like they have done since f***ing 1950. So FIA, stop mucking around with the AI computers in race cars, no one wants it. No one likes it."

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2. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 22 minutes ago

"What have they done to our beloved sport."

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3. Posted by Hobgoblin, 47 minutes ago

"Simulation does not equal testing.
Simulation trials something in a virtual environment that is constructed using a pre-conceived set of parameters and... assumptions...
Testing is a real world trial where you discover all the stuff that you didn't think of.

So - likely that the software was not tested properly before release."

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4. Posted by KKK, 57 minutes ago

"It's getting more like Scalextic. Thought F1 was a drivers championship or is it an IT championship? How long before someone Spartans decides to hack into the software and make tge car break down? It's not F1 any longer."

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FIA concludes Bahrain software investigation

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