Formula 1‘s rising star Isack Hadjar crashed his new Red Bull RB22 late in the afternoon bringing F1 Barcelona testing Day 2 to a premature end as persistent rain limited much of the shakedown running.
The private shakedown test, limited to select teams and shrouded from public eyes, provided invaluable data amid the overhaul of chassis, power units, and active aerodynamics regulations that define F1’s 2026 landscape.
The afternoon session on Day 2 encapsulated the unpredictability of pre-season testing, particularly as only Red Bull and Ferrari opted to run, capitalizing on their allocated three days out of the five-day program.
With Mercedes and Haas sitting out due to the forecasted rain, the track initially saw a handover from the morning drivers: Max Verstappen had clocked the day’s fastest dry lap of 1:19.580 during his 27 laps in the morning ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who amassed an impressive 64 laps overall.
As the clock ticked into the afternoon around 1:00 PM local time, Isack Hadjar took over the Red Bull RB22 from Verstappen, while Lewis Hamilton slid into the Ferrari cockpit to relieve Leclerc.
Early afternoon running proceeded cautiously as light drizzle began to speckle the 5.564-kilometer Catalan layout, prompting teams to switch to intermediate tires for grip on the dampening asphalt.
Hadjar, fresh off topping Day 1’s unofficial timesheets with a blistering 1:18.835 across 107 laps—emerged from the pits methodically, focusing on setup tweaks for the RB22.
His initial laps were clean, building confidence as he circulated in the 1:30s and 1:40s, gathering aerodynamic load data crucial for the mandatory active aero systems that promise closer racing under the new rules.
Hamilton, meanwhile, mirrored this approach in the Ferrari, logging steady laps around the 1:32 mark on intermediates, his experience evident in smooth lines through the technical Turn 3-4 complex and the high-speed sweeps of Turns 7 and 9.
By mid-afternoon, approximately 2:30 PM, the rain intensified into a steady downpour, transforming the track into a treacherous mirror of standing water and halting any illusion of dry-speed heroics.
Crews scrambled to fit full wet tires, with Hadjar pitting first for the switch, emerging for his first laps in full wet conditions around 3:00 PM.
The RB22, with its lighter chassis and 50% electric power boost from the 2026 power units, responded adeptly at first; Hadjar pushed progressively, dipping into the 1:46s initially before conditions marginally improved, allowing a personal best in the low 1:30s as spray cleared slightly.
However, disaster struck at around 4:20 PM as Hadjar ventured out on his transition lap from full wets back to intermediates while the track was still slick with residual moisture.
Approaching the high-speed Turn 14 right-hander—the flat-out final corner demanding over 250 km/h commitment—he lost rear stability, the RB22 snapping into a vicious spin that sent it backward into the barriers with substantial force.
The impact inflicted major damage to the rear end, including the gearbox and suspension, triggering an immediate red flag that ended Red Bull’s running for the day and effectively halted all proceedings as daylight waned and recovery operations commenced.
Eyewitness accounts described a plume of debris and tire smoke, but crucially, Hadjar climbed unharmed from the cockpit, walking away under his own power—a testament to the enhanced safety standards in the 2026 chassis design.
Red Bull confirmed no injuries, though the team faced a tense wait for damage assessments, potentially impacting their remaining test days.
Isack Hadjar crash at Barcelona echoed his ill-fated 2025 Australian GP debut formation lap shunt, yet his rapid ascent—from Red Bull Junior Team standout to RB22 seat alongside Verstappen—affirms the Austrian squad’s faith in his raw pace and adaptability.
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Max Verstappen triggers red flag as several teams skip F1 Barcelona testing Day 2
Unofficial 2026 F1 Barcelona pre-season testing Day 2 Results
