Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord criticized Formula 1's complexity after software failures forced multiple cars to crawl through formation laps at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The Sepang race was delayed by more than 90 minutes as the FIA scrambled to send emergency software fixes to resolve widespread power unit failures.
Lord believes the Malaysian chaos demonstrates why Formula 1 should move toward simplification rather than greater complexity. He noted that even at race 15 or 16 of the season, teams can still be caught out by certain elements of the fiendishly complex regulations governing the cars.
The power units introduced under 2026 regulations have faced criticism from fans and drivers who dislike how power is managed between the internal combustion engine and MGU-K systems. Lord warned that the broad direction for the sport's future should emphasize simplicity over technological complexity.
Mercedes has been strong since the 2026 regulation changes after struggling with ground effect cars for three years. While their upgrade package at Sepang didn't yield expected gains, the W17 has generally been the dominant machine in 2026, with the team leading the constructors' standings.