Hamilton says FIA race control and younger drivers are increasingly cautious in the rain

Heavy rain delayed the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia by 40 minutes. The field then went out behind the safety car for what was meant to be two formation laps and a possible standing start. A software bug disrupted that sequence, affecting several systems, including Hamilton’s Ferrari; he had to stop on track and reboot the car. Hamilton said the delay and software disruption meant he never got the wet-weather battle he had wanted with Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli.

Reflecting on the Malaysia race, Hamilton said FIA race control and younger drivers were becoming increasingly cautious about racing in the wet. He contrasted younger drivers’ reluctance with older drivers’ instinct to get racing, saying the split gives officials conflicting messages.

Hamilton said he loves racing in the rain and accepts that it carries greater risk. Extreme conditions, he said, test drivers and give them a chance to make the difference.

On the specific timing of the green light, Carlos Sainz backed race control. He said the rain had initially been too heavy for racing, but the go-ahead came at the right moment. Sainz said the attempt failed because of an external factor such as software, not because drivers were unwilling to race in the wet.

Isack Hadjar said the new power units were difficult to manage in the wet: a software issue left him unsure when electrical power would arrive, and intermediate tyres seemed unable to cope with standing water. Sergio Perez offered a different view of power delivery, saying drivers could control it themselves, from 350 kW down to 250 or 200 kW.

Singapore is the next possible test: rain is a small but not insignificant possibility throughout the Grand Prix weekend.