Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull Debut Marred by Crash as Verstappen Triggers Early Red Flag on Barcelona Test Day Two
Red Bull Racing endured a mixed and eventful second day of private Formula 1 pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as debutant Isack Hadjar suffered his first crash with the team, while Max Verstappen was responsible for an early red flag during his initial outing of the week.
The incident involving Hadjar occurred in the final hour of running on Day Two, bringing a premature end to what had been a valuable learning session for the young French driver. The crash marked Hadjar’s first significant setback since stepping up to a full-time Red Bull Formula 1 seat ahead of the 2026 season, and served as a reminder of the fine margins drivers face during early-season development work.
Despite the setback, Red Bull remains the only team to have taken to the track on both days of the five-day private test so far. With limited running opportunities due to weather disruptions and cautious team schedules, the Milton Keynes outfit has opted for maximum track time as it continues to refine the RB22 under the sport’s new technical direction.
Max Verstappen was first behind the wheel on Tuesday morning, making his official debut appearance of the Barcelona test. The reigning world champion, however, inadvertently caused the first red flag of the day after an on-track issue briefly halted proceedings. While the stoppage was short-lived and caused no lasting damage, it underlined the challenges teams are encountering as they push new machinery to its limits under testing conditions.
Verstappen’s red flag moment did little to disrupt his overall programme. The Dutchman went on to set the second-fastest lap time of the day, despite limited running across the field. With rain affecting much of the schedule, only a handful of meaningful laps were completed, and teams focused more on data collection than outright performance.
Tuesday proved to be a quieter day compared to Monday’s more action-packed opening session. Only Red Bull and Ferrari ventured onto the circuit, and even then, dry conditions were confined to just the first couple of hours. As the weather deteriorated, several teams chose to remain in the garage, preferring to avoid unnecessary risks during the early development phase.
Hadjar, who had driven the RB22 on Monday as the shakedown test officially got underway, was given further track time on Day Two to continue his adaptation to Formula 1 machinery. His crash, while unfortunate, is not expected to raise immediate concerns within the team, with pre-season testing traditionally viewed as the ideal environment for drivers to explore limits and identify weaknesses.
Elsewhere in the paddock, McLaren confirmed it will finally take to the track over the remaining three days of the Barcelona test. Team principal Andrea Stella had previously revealed that the Woking-based outfit would conduct a filming day on the opening day of the test, utilising the permitted 200 kilometres rather than participating in full running. The team’s delayed start was strategic, allowing additional preparation time amid the sport’s sweeping regulatory changes.
Stella emphasized that McLaren’s focus remains on long-term performance rather than early mileage, with the team confident its programme will deliver sufficient data before the season-opening round in Australia.
Newcomer Cadillac also continued its learning curve in Barcelona, with Sergio Perez offering insight into the team’s early challenges. The experienced Mexican driver acknowledged that Cadillac encountered several issues during its first official test appearance on Monday but described the situation as “positive” in the long run.
Perez explained that identifying problems early allows the team to address reliability and performance concerns well ahead of competitive running. With Cadillac preparing for its first full Formula 1 campaign, the emphasis remains firmly on development and stability rather than immediate results.
As the Barcelona pre-season test progresses, teams will be hoping for improved weather conditions and uninterrupted running. For Red Bull, the priority remains maximizing track time, refining the RB22, and ensuring both Verstappen and Hadjar are fully prepared for the demands of the new season.
While Hadjar’s crash and Verstappen’s red flag briefly disrupted proceedings, neither incident is expected to derail Red Bull’s preparations. Instead, both moments underline the purpose of testing: pushing boundaries, uncovering weaknesses, and laying the groundwork for success when the lights go out in Australia.
