The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has completed its investigation into the power unit problems that disrupted the formation lap of the 2026 Formula 1 race at Malaysia's Sepang circuit.
As reported by İdman.Biz, the investigation was launched after several cars experienced power loss while running at low speeds, with some coming to a complete stop on the track.
The formation lap began approximately 40 minutes later than originally scheduled, and the technical failures caused an additional delay while FIA officials identified the problem and implemented a solution across the grid.
The investigation focused on four key areas: identifying the precise cause of the power loss, developing measures to prevent similar failures, reviewing power unit energy limitations in wet conditions, and analyzing data provided by individual teams and engine manufacturers.
Following its assessment, the FIA announced that if similar weather conditions occur during the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, power units will revert to the configurations previously used in Malaysia.
The governing body also plans to introduce an additional wet-weather software update ahead of the United States Grand Prix, which follows the Singapore round.
"The report also recommended measures to test the software, taking into account the limited opportunities available for verification, in order to make it as reliable as possible," the FIA stated.
The federation added that it would continue working closely with teams and power unit manufacturers to improve software testing and validation procedures.
These efforts will include independent assessments, collaborative feedback and recommendations from the supplier of Formula 1's standardized electronic control unit (ECU).
The FIA aims to strengthen the reliability of power unit software and reduce the risk of similar disruptions during future races.
The October 4 race was eventually won by Red Bull's Max Verstappen, with Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli finishing second and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton taking third place.
The FIA confirmed that the malfunction was linked to cars running at low engine speeds in sections where electrical power was restricted to 250 kW. The restrictions caused a greater loss of power than intended, preventing some drivers from accelerating normally.
