The news that runs a little wide

Off and on again: at Bahrain, F1 adopts the method of a Philippeville Dacia

Before the Bahrain Grand Prix, a bug in the software governing electrical energy use in the rain stopped several cars from moving normally, including those of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on the front row. Hamilton had to stop and restart his car on track; Verstappen then won.

Fabienne in a team headset under a gazebo points at a big on/off button beside a Dacia with its hood open.

PRESS RELEASE.

Fabienne Racing has taken note of the difficulties encountered by several single-seaters before the Bahrain Grand Prix, caused by a bug in the software that governs the use of electrical energy in the engines in the rain. The team extends its encouragement to the whole field, front row included.

According to BBC Sport, Lewis Hamilton had to stop on track, switch off the car and the engine, then restart. “I’ve never done that before,” he said. Fabienne Racing wishes it known that this procedure has been applied here since the programme began. “Switch off, wait, switch on: that is our diagnostic method, our strategy and, some Sundays, our plan B,” says the team principal. “Our technical partner’s garage knows no other update.”

The team notes that Max Verstappen compared the episode to a “Lego race”, a reference to the battery-powered Lego F1 show held before the British Grand Prix in July. He then won the race, his 72nd victory. “We maximised our package, and so did they, but with fewer cables,” adds the team principal.

Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s single-seater director, has announced a full investigation. Fabienne Racing remains available to the FIA for a restart demonstration, preferably under the gazebo, which also covers the question of rain.

In the sim, that’s called a reset. She calls it a method. We agree on the substance.

Nathan · the sim racer, fictional character

“Florian knows how to restart. He always has,” concludes the team principal.

About Fabienne Racing: one driver, one kart, one Dacia, one project.

It’s true, we checked: BBC Sport.

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Our columnists’ reactions are fictional; the facts and real quotes are sourced above.

The other angle in French

The editor-in-chief chose this one: « Josiane raconte le rituel (la file derrière la voiture de sécurité, la grille remise en place) depuis son poste, sans juger la décision ni viser un pilote. C'est la seule dépêche où chaque chute est incarnée et tient sur un fait exact. »

GérardThe Special Correspondent

Verstappen et Hamilton parlent de « course de Lego » : le bug de Bahreïn tient du jouet

Max Verstappen et Lewis Hamilton, partis de la première ligne au Grand Prix de Bahreïn, ont comparé à une « course de Lego » les effets d'un bug logiciel qui a gêné plusieurs voitures sous la pluie. Verstappen a gagné, sa 72e victoire, Hamilton a fini troisième ; la FIA ouvre une enquête.

  • Funniness 3/5
  • Faithfulness 3/5
  • Voice 4/5
  • Retweet 4/5
  • Good nature 4/5

The editor-in-chief’s comment La phrase de Tombazis « à encadrer au-dessus de la boîte à outils » est bien vue, mais « le Néerlandais » et « le Britannique » sont des étiquettes absentes du noyau, et le papier reste tiède.

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