Formula One needs to have hard look at itself – Sainz

LONDON, United Kingdom, Oct 5 – Formula 1 “needs to have a hard look at” itself in the wake of unprecedented software glitches that affected Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, Williams driver Carlos Sainz says. A bug in the software for a wet-weather engine map led to a number of cars struggling to move on formation laps before the start of the race. The start had to be abandoned, a new software code issued, and the race eventually got under way an hour and a half later than scheduled. Sainz, who is a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, said: “It is clear the regulations...

A bug in the software for a wet-weather engine map led to a number of cars struggling to move on formation laps before the start of the race.

The start had to be abandoned, a new software code issued, and the race eventually got under way an hour and a half later than scheduled.

Sainz, who is a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, said: “It is clear the regulations are extremely complicated for the drivers, for the teams, for the power units and for the manufacturers. Who decided five years ago that this was the direction to go?

“We are doing the best with what we are given as a sport and as regulations. The FIA and F1 are doing the best they can.

“But clearly what was decided four or five years ago was wrong. We need to learn as a sport not to make those mistakes again.”

Governing body the FIA has launched a “full review” of the situation.

Source: Capital FM Sports