David Croft has criticised the FIA for the chaotic formation lap scenes at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, describing a software glitch that saw several drivers slowing to a crawl or stopping completely as a “farce”.
F1 and the FIA have new technical regulations this year which saw the introduction of a new power unit which is almost 50 per cent electric.
Sepang saw the first wet conditions of the season, and the FIA later confirmed that a combination of low engine speeds, low grip, wet-weather energy-management settings and the configuration of the circuit had caused an unintended loss of power.
Speaking on the F1 Show podcast, Sky Sports F1 commentator Croft questioned why such a scenario had not been simulated before the season began.
“We had a shakedown in Barcelona and six days of testing in Bahrain before the season started. Why on earth were situations like this not tried out before we went racing?” he said.
“Nikolas Tombazis [FIA single-seater director] says there are bugs all the time with software. Behind the scenes, people are working on those bugs, and what they try and do is do updates during the night time when people aren’t actually using their computers.
“Not during the course of a Grand Prix, when someone has now suddenly realised we’ve got a situation on our hands.
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“Before the start of the race, it looked like it was the day where we were going to break the duck and have some wet weather running.
“We’ve had dry weather all the time, so we’ve had plenty of time to simulate this, to stop it happening in front of hundreds of millions of people during the course of a race.
“This falls on the FIA. I’m sorry, but you are the governing body. You are supposed to have the upper hand when it comes to these rules and regulations, the directives, the power units and everything.
“You weren’t on top of things when it came to that race, and it was a farce.”
When the drivers left the pit lane following a rain-delayed start, several almost ground to a halt, including race leader Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, with numerous other drivers in the midfield also experiencing issues.
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The unusual scenes left spectators and viewers unsure what was happening, with the aborted start followed by a lengthy wait while the problem was resolved.
The FIA said its emergency software fix took around 20 minutes to issue and install, although the overall disruption was considerably longer.
“We had no idea why those cars were going so slowly,” Croft said. “We had no idea why we were waiting around for 40 minutes to get a race on.
“There’s a lot going on, and we need to understand and appreciate that the FIA are trying to keep across a million and one different things.
“But sometimes taking a step back, identifying issues that could come during a season, during a scenario, and taking preventative measures is the best way forward, rather than just trying to react on the spur of the moment.
“I want to see a bit more strategic thinking when it comes to these sorts of issues.
“Let’s go through other simulations, FIA, and other things that could go wrong with these power units. Let’s get the bugs fixed and get the simulations in place now.”
Tombazis acknowledged after the race that the software had not been tested sufficiently in the specific conditions encountered at Sepang.
The FIA added that the issue had not been detected during testing or the laps to the grid and has promised a full review with the teams and power-unit manufacturers.
The controversy ultimately overshadowed what became an eventful and competitive Grand Prix as Verstappen emerged victorious, with Kimi Antonelli second and Hamilton completing the podium after a dramatic recovery.
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“I’m just really frustrated that I’ve come away from Sepang – a brilliant weekend commentating, talking about a great track, brilliant drivers, some sensational racing – and what’s dominating the headlines is F1 farce because we see cars slowing down and stopping,” Croft added.
“I don’t want that for the sport that I love. I actually want people to be talking about great racing.
“That’s what we should be talking about, but these issues need addressing.”
Sky Sports F1’s live Singapore GP Sprint weekend schedule
Thursday October 8
11am: Drivers’ Press Conference
2pm: Paddock Uncut
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 heads straight to 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