Recommended Free Tools
Several Formula 1 cars lost effective power during the wet formation lap at the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia because an unusual combination of near-standstill speeds, low grip, wet-weather energy settings and Sepang’s sector layout exposed a bug in FIA software. The FIA removed an energy-limit constraint in affected sectors with an emergency update during the rain delay. The available reports do not establish the outcome of the FIA’s subsequent review or confirm a permanent fix.
Which Bahrain Grand Prix was affected?
This was the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix held at Sepang in Malaysia, not the Bahrain Grand Prix held at Bahrain International Circuit in 2012. The event name can cause confusion because the 2026 race was staged in Malaysia; Formula 1’s official 2012 archive identifies the earlier Bahrain event as taking place in Bahrain on 20–22 April 2012, with Sebastian Vettel winning.
What happened on the formation lap?
Heavy rain delayed the start of the 2026 race. On the wet formation lap, cars slowed behind the safety car, and some reached extremely low speeds. Max Verstappen was the first reported to lose power; Lewis Hamilton and other drivers also encountered problems. Race control halted the formation procedure with a red flag, and the cars returned to the pits.
Reports describe a substantial delay before the race could proceed, but give differing measurements of its length. The precise duration should therefore not be treated as settled without an authoritative event chronology.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- RACE WITH REAL-TIME DATA - The built-in 4.3 inch IPS LCD display shows up to 69 critical telemetry items with dynamic skins that adapt to your game, giving you the same cockpit awareness as professional drivers so you can make faster, smarter decisions every lap in your sim racing setup.
- CARBON FIBER BUILT FOR SPEED - A genuine 21 layer carbon fiber faceplate delivers the perfect balance of rigidity and lightweight feel, ensuring every ounce of Force Feedback reaches your hands without distortion, so your formula wheel feels as responsive and precise as the real Ferrari SF1000 race car replica it was modeled after.
- TOTAL COMMAND AT YOUR FINGERTIPS - With up to 25 fully programmable action buttons including 7 rotary encoders, you gain unlimited configuration possibilities for every racing simulator scenario, letting you fine tune brake bias, differential, and engine modes without ever taking your eyes off the track or losing precious time.
- IMMERSIVE OFFICIALLY LICENSED DESIGN - Officially licensed by Ferrari with iconic labeling and authentic markings, this steering wheel delivers unrivaled realism whether connected natively or via wireless telemetry, transforming your sim racing cockpit into a true Formula One experience that looks and feels absolutely spectacular.
- PREMIUM MAGNETIC PADDLE SHIFTERS - Swap between the included 100% aluminum interchangeable magnetic paddle shifters for lightning quick gear changes, plus two customizable analog paddle shifters give you extra control for clutch biting points and advanced driving techniques on your racing wheel and pedals setup.
Why did the cars lose power?
The FIA attributed the failures to several conditions occurring together, rather than to one team or power-unit manufacturer. Its explanation, reproduced by GRANDE PRÊMIO, cited low engine speed, low grip, wet-weather energy-management settings and Sepang’s sector configuration. The cars’ unusually slow pace was central: FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis told Autosport that the software had not been tested for speeds “not normally contemplated.”
As Tombazis put it, “The software was tested. It just wasn’t tested in those specific conditions.” That distinction matters: the reporting does not say the software had never been tested. Rather, the particular mix of speed, grip, energy settings and circuit sectors that exposed the bug had not been covered. The FIA said the issue had not appeared in testing or during the laps to the grid, and Tombazis acknowledged that more testing might have caught it.
Rank #2
- Official life-size replica of the steering wheel from the Ferrari SF-25 race car
- Interactive 4.3-inch / 109-mm IPS LCD display and 21 LEDs to display race information
- 25 action buttons and 7 encoders with authentic markings
- 100% carbon fiber faceplate: rigid and lightweight
- Super-responsive T-Chrono Paddles push/pull paddle shifters, plus customizable analog paddle shifters
How near-standstill speeds exposed the bug
Cars moving slowly behind the safety car can bunch up when the pace changes, especially in poor visibility and low grip. Tombazis described a “concertina effect” in which some cars nearly stopped. In comments quoted by Motorsport.com, he said the bug prevented power from being redeployed so cars could get moving again. The incident was therefore linked to an edge case in the interaction between the software and operating conditions—not simply to rain or to a general failure of the engines.
What did the FIA change before the race restarted?
During the rain delay, the FIA Technical Department removed the energy-limit constraint in affected sectors and distributed updated software to all competitors. Teams had to install it before the race. Autosport reported that the intervention lifted restrictions associated with a 250 kW limit in the minisectors where low speeds had triggered the bug; that figure describes the limit involved in this specific incident, not a general power limit for the cars.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
- Immersive Gaming Experience: Perfect for PlayStation 5, PS4 and PC gaming titles, the Driving Force simulates the feeling of driving a real car with precision steering and pressure-sensitive pedals
- Premium Control: The Driving Force feedback racing wheel provides a detailed simulation of driving a real car, with helical gearing delivering smooth, quiet steering and a hand-stitched leather cover
- Customizable Pedals: These pressure-sensitive nonlinear brake pedals provide a responsive, accurate braking feel on a sturdy base - with adjustable pedal faces for finer control
- 900-Degree Rotation: Lock-to-lock rotation of the Driving Force means you can turn the wheel around two and a half times, hand over hand on wide turns - just like a real F1 race car
- Up Your Game: Take your racing simulation to the next level with Driving Force accessories like the Driving Force Shifter or desk and rig mounts
Tombazis characterized the update as a rushed, untested response intended to get the race restarted. He said he believed it did not compromise safety, racing or fairness; that was his assessment, not an independently established finding. The change was an emergency workaround. The available reports do not show that it was a permanent correction.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What remains unknown?
The FIA said it would conduct a full review with teams and power-unit manufacturers. The contemporaneous reports cited here do not establish the review’s final conclusions, whether further software changes followed, or what permanent safeguards were adopted. They also do not identify a single manufacturer as responsible. The supported explanation is an interaction among operating conditions, energy-management settings and the circuit’s sector configuration.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Collector’s item. Detachable Ferrari 150th Italia racing wheel replica for the Thrustmaster T300RS (PS3 & PS4); T500RS (PS3, PS4, Xbox One & PC); and TX Wheel (Xbox One & PC), all sold separately
- A precise, robust and realistic racing wheel
- Full-size replica of the Formula 1 Ferrari 2011 racing wheel, under official license by Ferrari
- Reinforced scratched-brushed metal face is heavier and more solid compared to plastic, ensuring optimum stability and inertia
- Rubber-textured wheel offering a realistic and comfortable grip
Rank #4
- Immersive Gaming Experience: Perfect for Xbox and PC gaming titles, the Driving Force simulates the feeling of driving a real car with precision steering and pressure-sensitive pedals
- Premium Control: The Driving Force feedback racing wheel provides a detailed simulation of driving a real car, with helical gearing delivering smooth, quiet steering and a hand-stitched leather cover
- Customizable Pedals: These pressure-sensitive nonlinear brake pedals provide a responsive, accurate braking feel on a sturdy base - with adjustable pedal faces for finer control
- 900-Degree Rotation: Lock-to-lock rotation of the Driving Force means you can turn the wheel around two and a half times, hand over hand on wide turns - just like a real F1 race car
- Up Your Game: Take your racing simulation to the next level with Driving Force accessories like the Driving Force Shifter or desk and rig mounts
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
