What happened: The FIA acknowledged a human error in Race Control left Overtake Mode unavailable following a red flag in SQ1 at the Singapore Grand Prix. The system, which provides drivers an extra half-megajoule of energy, was later briefly activated for 27 seconds before being turned off again. The glitch compounded a separate timing and scoring system failure that occurred during the same session.

Why it matters: The loss of Overtake Mode impacted both outright lap times and tire preparation on out-laps, creating an uneven competitive field. Carlos Sainz, Kimi Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, and both Aston Martin entries were among those hindered by the power disparity. Sainz noted that half the cars completed qualifying with a clear engine advantage over the rest of the grid.

What to watch: The FIA confirmed that the second and third periods of sprint qualifying were unaffected by the error. Max Verstappen went on to claim pole position for the sprint race.