Mercedes faces engine setbacks at Sepang Grand Prix

The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia was marked by chaos due to heavy rain and software bugs affecting several power units during the formation lap. Max Verstappen experienced accelerator issues that were quickly resolved, while Lewis Hamilton was forced to stop on track to perform a system reset on his Ferrari engine.

Mercedes attempted to mock the situation on social media by posting that the start procedure was suspended because ‘several Ferrari-powered cars have stopped on track’. However, users quickly flagged the post as misinformation.

Adding to the team's difficulties, George Russell suffered a power unit failure five laps before the end of the race. This retirement disrupts Mercedes' strategic engine rotation plan, which aimed to preserve components for a new specification update in Austin. The failure also widens the championship gap between Russell and teammate Kimi Antonelli, who now leads by 84 points.