Rain had already delayed the Malaysian GP, and the start was pushed back another 90 minutes as cars crawled and stalled on the formation lap, leaving spectators staring at an empty track while the FIA rushed to apply a software fix.
The 2026 power‑unit formula has drawn fire for its split between the ICE and MGU‑K, and the Sepang weekend tipped many fans over the edge as favorite drivers limped around before the green flag.
Lord, whose squad tops the constructors’ table with a potent engine, warns the series should ditch such intricate systems. In my view, the current technical maze is steering F1 away from its core excitement.
“It shows how tough Formula 1 has become,” he said after the chaotic opening lap. “When we face situations we’ve never seen, testing becomes essential – this was an untried scenario.”
“These cars are fiendishly complex, the rulebook equally so, and even at race 15‑16 we can still be caught out. I believe the sport’s future lies in simplification, not added complexity.”
“Today’s hiccup is a footnote in an otherwise thrilling afternoon, unlikely to dominate headlines, yet it underlines that a shift toward simplicity could be the right path forward.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes; George Russell, Mercedes; race start
Since the 2026 regulation overhaul, the Brackley team has been dominant, overcoming a tough three‑year ground‑effect era. Although the Sepang upgrade didn’t deliver the hoped‑for boost, the W17 remains the benchmark car of the season.
By 2030 the championship will switch to a V8 powertrain with reduced electrification, and it sounds as if fans – and Lord – may finally get the simplicity they crave.
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– The Team