News Summary
- The FIA admitted a Race Control error affected Overtake Mode during the opening phase of sprint qualifying in Singapore.
- The system was briefly activated for 27 seconds, giving some drivers additional electrical deployment.
- Carlos Sainz criticised the lack of sporting equity after both Williams drivers were eliminated in SQ1.
The FIA has acknowledged that human error compromised sporting fairness during sprint qualifying for the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, after a Race Control mistake left some Formula 1 drivers with access to additional electrical power while others completed their laps without it.
The incident occurred during the opening phase of Friday’s session at Marina Bay, following a red flag triggered by Sergio Pérez’s Cadillac.
When qualifying resumed, Race Control failed to reactivate Overtake Mode, the system that allows drivers to access additional electrical energy under specific conditions.
The mode was subsequently enabled for 27 seconds before being switched off again, creating inconsistent conditions depending on where drivers were on the circuit.
Carlos Sainz, who was eliminated in SQ1 alongside Williams team-mate Alexander Albon, criticised the situation and questioned why the session was allowed to continue despite the unequal performance conditions.
FIA acknowledges human error in Race Control
The governing body confirmed that the problem resulted from a mistake in the operation of the system following the red flag.
The FIA acknowledged that the error affected the performance of certain cars depending on the timing of their laps and their position around the circuit.
Although the issue was restricted to SQ1, its consequences were significant for drivers attempting to progress to the second stage.
Overtake Mode is a central component of Formula 1’s 2026 power-unit regulations, providing additional electrical energy that can increase performance at high speed.
Its inconsistent availability meant some drivers were able to complete parts of their laps with more electrical deployment than their rivals.
The FIA subsequently confirmed that the second and third stages of sprint qualifying were unaffected.
Sainz questions sporting equity after Williams elimination
Sainz was particularly critical of the incident, arguing that the different power settings had created an unacceptable competitive imbalance.
“Half of the cars did their laps with half a second quicker engine than the others,” the Spaniard said, speaking to Sky Sports F1.
The Williams driver also questioned the governing body’s approach to sporting fairness, particularly after technical problems had affected the previous race weekend in Malaysia.
Both Williams drivers failed to progress beyond SQ1, with Albon classified 19th and Sainz 22nd.
Williams reportedly requested that all competitors be allowed to advance to SQ2 following the incident, but that proposal was rejected.
The result left the team facing a difficult recovery in Saturday’s sprint.
FIA faces scrutiny after consecutive technical incidents
The Singapore controversy followed a separate software problem at the previous Grand Prix in Malaysia, where several cars experienced unexpected power-related difficulties.
The two incidents have increased scrutiny of the systems used to manage Formula 1’s new power-unit regulations.
FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis subsequently addressed the Singapore incident, acknowledging the seriousness of a mistake that affected sporting fairness.
The problem was separate from a timing-system interruption that also disrupted the session.
Max Verstappen ultimately secured sprint pole position ahead of George Russell and Charles Leclerc, while the drivers eliminated during the opening phase were left unable to recover their positions.
The 2026 Formula 1 season continues at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, following the Singapore weekend.
