FIA admits human error behind Singapore sprint qualifying Overtake Mode mess
The FIA has admitted that the power imbalance at the end of SQ1 in Singapore sprint qualifying was human error. Race control missed re-enabling Overtake Mode after the red flag, then switched it on for 27 seconds and off again. Because only some drivers set their laps with the extra power, the FIA itself says the error interfered with the results.
What happened
In the first sprint qualifying session last Friday, Cadillac's Sergio Perez crashed at Turn 5 and a red flag was needed to clear debris. When the session resumed, Overtake Mode was not available to the drivers. Race control realised the mistake late, activated it for 27 seconds, and then switched it off again.
Some drivers finished their laps with the extra power, while others said they had less than expected. GPFans reported that drivers trying to improve their times lost up to 0.6 seconds because of it. The same day the timing tower failed, which delayed the start of the second session by 10 minutes.
The FIA's explanation
FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis told Sky Germany it was human error, not software. Re-enabling Overtake Mode is normally done manually because a safety check is needed; a pop-up on a staff computer was not acted on in time and, under time pressure and other tasks, it was forgotten. Only after the drivers complained did the FIA look for another fault and find the real cause, he said.
Tombazis acknowledged the error "interfered with the results", which he called probably the worst outcome because safety and fairness are the FIA's top priorities. He also said: "We're not happy about it, because it affected some drivers more and some drivers less" (as reported by Autosport and Crash.net).
The FIA said it will analyse the mistakes to stop a repeat, but the reports name no specific measures or rule changes.
Driver reaction
Williams' Carlos Sainz was knocked out in SQ1, started the sprint 22nd, and accused the FIA of disregarding sporting fairness. According to GPblog, Sainz claims Tombazis apologised in person and admitted that continuing into SQ2 was the wrong decision. That is Sainz's account and has not been confirmed by the FIA.
Sainz also said he does not understand why Malaysia's similar software problem was handled differently. Autosport noted that less than a week earlier in Sepang, a power unit software glitch forced updates on all cars, and framed this as the FIA's second recent blunder.
Why it matters
Sprint qualifying carried no championship points, but the key point is that the FIA directly admitted fairness was compromised. As of this Tuesday no penalty or further inquiry has been reported, and the question is whether such operational errors recur as the season runs down.
Sources
- Crash.net — FIA admits F1 qualifying blunder "interfered with the results" at Singapore GP
- Autosport — FIA admits fairness was compromised in Singapore F1 sprint qualifying mess
- GPFans — FIA explains Singapore GP pop-up window human error
- GPblog — Sainz reveals startling private FIA confession after Singapore qualifying chaos