Heavy rain at Sepang forced the Malaysian Grand Prix to start late, but the situation quickly escalated when several cars struggled during the formation lap. The event was delayed by more than 90 minutes as drivers crawled and stalled, leaving the circuit empty while the FIA worked to apply a software fix. Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord said the incident highlights the need for greater simplification in Formula 1, describing the current cars as “fiendishly complex.”
The 2026 power‑unit regulations, which balance internal‑combustion engine output with MGU‑K recovery, have drawn criticism from fans and drivers alike. The Malaysian weekend pushed many enthusiasts over the edge when their favourite drivers appeared to limp around the track before the race even began.
Lord, whose team leads the constructors’ championship with a competitive power unit, warned that the series should move away from overly intricate systems. “It shows that Formula 1’s really difficult,” he remarked on the chaotic opening lap. “When we encounter situations we haven’t encountered before… there’s a reason we test before we race, and this was an untested scenario.
“These cars are fiendishly complex, and the regulations that govern them are equally intricate. Even now, at race 15 or 16, we can still be caught out by certain elements. I think the broad direction for the future is one of greater simplification rather than greater complexity.”
“What happened today was a footnote in what was otherwise an exciting afternoon of racing, and it probably won’t dominate the headlines. However, it underscores that simplicity versus complexity is a valid direction for the sport to pursue.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, George Russell, Mercedes, race start
Photo by: Srinivasa Krishnan
Since the regulation changes introduced at the start of the 2026 season, Mercedes has enjoyed a strong run after three difficult years with ground‑effect cars. Although the upgrade package applied at Sepang did not deliver the gains its drivers were hoping for, the W17 has generally been the dominant chassis of 2026.
The 2030 season will see a different power‑unit formula for F1, moving to a V8 engine layout with reduced electrification. It appears that fans – and Bradley Lord – may finally get the simplification they have been calling for.