Isack Hadjar testing crash has HUGE implications as Max Verstappen L…read more
Sky Sports F1 insider Ted Kravitz has offered a tongue-in-cheek but telling reaction to Isack Hadjar’s costly crash during Red Bull’s Barcelona shakedown, joking that Max Verstappen may not have been best pleased with what he saw from the young Frenchman.
Hadjar, recently promoted into the Red Bull fold, began his private testing programme at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on a positive note. On Monday, the highly rated prospect completed an impressive 108 laps without any issues, giving the team valuable early data as preparations ramp up ahead of the new Formula 1 era. His running continued on Tuesday, where he added a further 58 laps to his tally, once again showing strong pace and confidence behind the wheel.
However, Hadjar’s productive test came to an abrupt end late in Tuesday’s session. The 20-year-old lost control of the RB22 at Turn 14, sending the car into the barriers and causing significant damage. While Hadjar emerged unhurt, the incident quickly escalated into a much larger problem for Red Bull’s testing plans.
Unlike a full Grand Prix weekend, Red Bull had arrived in Barcelona with a limited supply of spare parts. As a result, the damage sustained in Hadjar’s crash could not be repaired on-site. The team was forced to halt all further running while replacement components were rushed from Milton Keynes, leaving both Wednesday and Thursday effectively written off.
That delay proved particularly frustrating for Max Verstappen. The four-time world champion had already endured a disrupted test of his own, completing just 27 laps on Tuesday in difficult, changeable conditions. Verstappen also had a minor off into the gravel, though without serious consequences. With Hadjar’s crash compounding the situation, Verstappen was left watching from the sidelines while valuable track time slipped away.
The knock-on effect of the incident became a major talking point on Sky Sports F1’s Barcelona shakedown coverage. Ted Kravitz and Craig Slater analysed not only the technical implications but also the potential atmosphere inside the Red Bull camp following the accident.
Kravitz, known for his dry humour, admitted sympathy for Hadjar while playfully imagining Verstappen’s reaction behind the scenes. “I do feel a bit sorry for Isack Hadjar,” Kravitz said. “Could you imagine Max Verstappen in the motorhome giving him evil looks? It’s like, ‘We’ve only got one car here. What have you done with it?’”
The comment, while light-hearted, underlined the intense pressure surrounding Red Bull’s testing programme. With new regulations on the horizon and limited private running available, every lap is considered critical. Losing two full days of testing due to damage was far from ideal for a team aiming to remain at the sharp end of the grid.
Craig Slater echoed those concerns, noting that although crashes during testing are not uncommon, timing and context matter. Hadjar’s error came at a moment when Red Bull could least afford disruption, particularly with Verstappen still trying to gather his first meaningful data in the car.
Despite the setback, Red Bull are understood to be standing firmly behind Hadjar. The team views the shakedown as a learning opportunity, and insiders stress that the Frenchman’s overall performance prior to the crash had been encouraging. Mistakes, they insist, are part of the development process—especially for young drivers pushing the limits.
Still, the episode offered a glimpse into the razor-sharp environment at Red Bull, where expectations are sky-high and even a testing incident can carry major consequences. As parts finally arrived and running resumed, all eyes remained on how quickly the team—and Hadjar himself—could put the incident behind them.
One thing, however, was clear from Sky Sports’ coverage: when Max Verstappen loses track time, even joking about his “evil look” feels a little too believable. 😈🏁
