FIA confirms F1 software fix at Sepang to remain in place for Singapore GP if wet

[p]The FIA carried out an investigation after what it described as ‌a software bug caused chaos, with cars slowing to a crawl on two formation laps held after heavy ‌rain at Sepang had forced the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix ‌in Malaysia to be aborted.[/p][p]The Bahrain Grand Prix was held in Malaysia due to the ‌Iran war and the situation in the Middle East.[/p][p]The review concluded that some ‌cars running on low engine revs at certain points of the circuit experienced a "loss of power beyond the original intent and that could not be recovered in those sectors.[/p][p][b]"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 on October 25th."[/b][/p][embed guid="426b4ee2-252d-4020-8106-a78b202610b8" url="https://x.com/fia/status/2108122323236831329" social-type="twitter" /][p]Singapore is hosting a sprint race for the first time on Saturday, with the main Grand Prix at night under floodlights on Sunday.[/p][p]A heat hazard has already been declared by the FIA for the weekend at the Marina Bay circuit, meaning temperatures in ⁠excess of 31 degrees Celsius are forecast, requiring teams to fit a driver cooling system, such as a liquid-cooled vest, though they are not obliged to use them and can take a ballast penalty instead.[/p][p]The review also recommended implementing measures for testing of the software to make ‌it as robust as possible, and the FIA said it would be working with teams and manufacturers.[/p][p]FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis told reporters on Sunday that the lack of pre-season testing in wet conditions, with Sepang the first wet start of the season, played a part in the chaos, but the governing body clarified that.[/p][p][b]"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 One sessions at both the Belgian Grand Prix and the Dutch Grand Prix," it said.[/b][/p][p]The FIA also ‌published a chronology of events at Sepang, with the start procedure suspended at 15:45 local time and the cause of the issue identified within five minutes.[/p][p]It ‌said teams were given technical guidance and clarification at 16:03 about installing and operating the revised software configurations.[/p][p]The integration process was completed by 16:20 local time, and cars left the pit lane again at 16:33.[/p][p]Drivers are expected to discuss the situation with the FIA at the Singapore race.[/p][p][b]"It's something that ⁠we need to learn from and make ⁠sure it doesn't happen again," ‌said Cadillac's Mexican driver [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/perez-sergio/foV8RteD/"]Sergio Perez[/a].[/b][/p]