Lando Norris faces technical chaos and stewards' reprimand at Sepang

The Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit was marked by significant technical and operational disruptions. A software bug in the FIA-installed power unit software, specifically affecting the rain mode for the new 2026-generation engines, caused several cars to stall or lose power during the formation lap. This led to a red flag and a delay of approximately 50 minutes before the race could begin.

McLaren driver Lando Norris faced multiple challenges during the event. He received a reprimand from stewards for erratic driving behind the safety car after nearly colliding with teammate Oscar Piastri. Norris explained that low sun visibility made it difficult to react to George Russell's sudden deceleration. Additionally, Norris and Ferrari made tactical errors by choosing slick tires for a restart on a track that remained too wet, a decision Norris admitted was incorrect.

Following the race, Norris criticized the increasing complexity of electronic systems in modern Formula 1 cars, describing the software-related delays as “horrible” and suggesting that the heavy reliance on electronics is a flaw in the current regulations. He also expressed his intention to retire from racing earlier than some of his peers, citing a desire for a normal life outside the paddock.