Sports · Motorsport · 1 day ago
Sainz criticises FIA after power disparity in Singapore sprint qualifying
During sprint qualifying at the Singapore Grand Prix, a race-control error left drivers with different access to Overtake Mode, which provides extra power.
The mode was not restored after a red flag, then was switched on for 27 seconds before being turned off again.
This meant the effect depended on when each driver was completing a lap.
Williams driver Carlos Sainz qualified 22nd and said the power difference cost him about half a second, though he also struggled with his brakes and tyres.
He criticised the FIA, saying it had not treated drivers fairly, and compared the decision with a recent incident at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
The FIA said the error affected some cars but did not say whether it changed who advanced to the next qualifying stage.
A separate timing-system problem also delayed the next stage by about 15 minutes.
A race-control error during SQ1 at the Singapore Grand Prix left Overtake Mode unavailable for a period after a red flag.
The red flag followed debris from Sergio Perez’s damaged front wing being cleared from the track.
Race control restored Overtake Mode for 27 seconds before it was deactivated again, affecting some cars depending on when and where they were running.
The FIA said the problem was human error, separate from a timing issue that prevented some lap times from appearing.
Carlos Sainz criticised the FIA over what he said was a lack of sporting equity; Williams and Racing Bulls were reported to be frustrated, while Aston Martin was considering its options.
The FIA said the second and third periods of sprint qualifying were not affected.
- Who
- The FIA, Formula 1 teams and drivers, including Carlos Sainz
- What
- A race-control error left Overtake Mode unavailable for part of SQ1, creating unequal power conditions for some drivers
- When
- 9 October 2026
- Where
- Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore
- Why
- A human error meant Overtake Mode was not re-enabled after the SQ1 red flag
Carlos Sainz and affected teams
The FIA
Fairness of the session
Carlos Sainz and affected teams
Sainz said some cars had more power than others and accused the FIA of failing to ensure sporting equity. Williams and Racing Bulls were also reported to be frustrated.
The FIA
The FIA acknowledged that the error affected some cars, depending on the timing and position of their runs, but said the second and third qualifying periods were unaffected.
Cause of the power difference
Carlos Sainz and affected teams
Sainz initially described the problem as a software issue and compared it with a recent power-related incident.
The FIA
The FIA said the power issue was caused by human error in race control, not a software fault, and was separate from the timing issue.
Possible changes to the result
Carlos Sainz and affected teams
Williams reportedly asked for all 22 cars to be allowed into SQ2, while Aston Martin said it was keeping its options open.
The FIA
The stewards reportedly denied the request to let all cars into SQ2, and another SQ1 run could not be arranged because there were not enough tyre sets. No further changes to the result were expected.
The FIA acknowledges that this unfortunate human error had an impact on the performance of certain cars based on the timing of their run and their position around the lap.
Unfortunately we had a really poor lap there, we only got one lap.
For whatever reason the FIA, like in Malaysia, didn’t decide to do sporting equity and were happy to do quali with half of the cars in quali with a higher power than the other half of the cars.
Qualifying was halted after Sergio Perez’s damaged front wing left debris that had to be cleared.
Overtake Mode was not active; race control reactivated it for 27 seconds and then deactivated it again.
Williams reportedly asked for all 22 cars to take part in SQ2, but the stewards denied the request.
The FIA acknowledged the human error, while Sainz criticised the effect on sporting equity.
- Circuit
- Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore
- Date
- 9 October 2026
- Overtake Mode reactivation
- 27 seconds
- Energy available through Overtake Mode
- An extra half-megajoule
- Sainz's qualifying result
- 22nd and slowest in sprint qualifying
Sources
Carlos Sainz questions ‘sporting equity’ within F1 after Singapore ‘human error’
Sainz blasts FIA after ‘human error’ affects Singapore sprint qualifying
F1 star blasts FIA with double standards accusation after Singapore Grand Prix shambles
Explained: The FIA 'human error' during Singapore Sprint Qualifying
FIA admits 'human error' created power disparity in Singapore Sprint Qualifying
Singapore sprint qualifying chaos leaves F1 teams furious
FIA blundert met 'menselijke fout' in sprintkwalificatie, benadeelde Sainz is woest
Carlos Sainz slams FIA after ‘human error’ left drivers with power inequality in sprint qualifying
FIA reveals "human error" caused latest software glitch in Singapore sprint qualifying
"Human error" caused Singapore GP sprint qualifying glitch
FIA error left some drivers without full power in sprint qualifying
FIA: Sprint qualifying software issue 'human error'
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