The FIA will introduce further changes to wet-weather engine software from the United States Grand Prix after completing a review into the “software bug” that further delayed the start of last week’s rain-hit race in Malaysia.
Several cars slowed or briefly stopped on the rain-hit laps to the grid last Sunday due to what the governing body after the race described as an “unprecedented combination” related to both the slow speed the cars were travelling in the wet and the sector configuration of the Sepang lap.
The start procedure was abandoned and the Grand Prix eventually started 48 minutes later after a software update was issued by the FIA to all teams and power-unit manufacturers.
Having promised an investigation into what happened, the FIA delivered its findings and next steps on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.
“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,” read the statement.
“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 25.
“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).”
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The governing body also dismissed suggestions that there had not been testing of the wet-weather software before the issues at Sepang.
“The FIA would like to address comments suggesting that the software had not been tested prior to its deployment,” the statement added.
“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.”
The governing body also detailed the timings for how the issues in Sepang were resolved, confirming its technical team had identified the cause of the issue and released software update configurations to teams and power-unit providers within five minutes of the race-start suspension.
Sky Sports F1’s live Singapore GP Sprint weekend schedule
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Friday October 9
9am: Singapore GP Practice (session starts at 9.30am)*
11.30am: Team Bosses’ Press Conference
1pm: Singapore GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts at 1.30pm)*
Saturday October 10
9am: Singapore GP Sprint build-up*
10am: Singapore GP SPRINT*
1pm: Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
2pm: SINGAPORE GP QUALIFYING*
4pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday October 11
11.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Singapore GP build-up
1pm: THE SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
3pm: Chequered Flag: Singapore GP reaction
4pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Singapore for the last Sprint weekend of the season with track action starting this Friday, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime