Rain and a software glitch tested F1 fans’ patience

The FIA logo assembles on screen, with an F1 car incorporated into its design. That opening image contrasted with the evening fans experienced: a break of almost an hour in the Bahrain Grand Prix programme in Malaysia, as rain delayed the start. On screen, cars sat in the pit lane while mechanics wandered around them. The wait may have made for a difficult night for fans; those who have followed F1 for a long time, though, could appreciate the downpour. The cars lined up on a rain-soaked grid before the race also offered a sight some enthusiasts had been hoping to see.

The episode stirred memories of an era fans associate with “2001”. But the disruption was not just a delay: a software glitch threw the complex power units into disarray and denied the most dedicated supporters a wet-weather race. Unable to manage their power through the throttle, the cars appeared helpless. The writer summed up the frustration with a direct rebuke to the sport: “Dear Formula 1, you’ve ruined it.” The piece also considers the disappointment of a child for whom F1 is an escape world.

After the flag, Alex Albon regretted how the race unfolded: “I wish we could go when we went, because you'd have had a nice race.” Oliver Bearman said he had not realised the FIA could act on the throttle pedal: “I didn't even know that the FIA could control our throttle pedal, that was quite scary, actually.” He went on to suggest that some interventions, including low-grip mode, may have become too complicated to understand. He did not rule out cutting throttle being useful in certain safety situations.

George Russell called the day a “faff”, with the delay, red flag and lengthy running behind the safety car. He also said it had not really felt like F1 and that a spectator in the stands might have been disappointed. The argument is not simply a call to bring back V10s, ban computers or return to 2001. While F1 surveys indicate that participants find the races exciting, the question remains whether those findings reflect how long-time fans feel as well. Brad Pitt is also shooting a sequel to the F1 movie.