Red Bull Weighs Options for Third Barcelona F1 Test Post Hadjar’s Crash
The Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team is assessing its options for a final day of testing in Barcelona following a crash involving driver Isack Hadjar. On Tuesday, Hadjar experienced an incident in challenging wet conditions, spinning backward into the wall at the circuit’s final corner. This accident caused significant damage to the rear of the new RB22, Red Bull’s car for the 2026 season, and prematurely ended Hadjar’s running.
Assessing the Damage
As of now, the circumstances of the incident remain unclear. It is uncertain whether the crash was due to driver error or a mechanical failure with the car. Team principal Laurent Mekies stated that Red Bull is currently evaluating their plans for the upcoming days of testing following the crash.
Testing Conditions and Team Performance
Hadjar’s teammate, Max Verstappen, completed the morning session with limited dry track time before rain impacted the testing conditions. Despite these challenges, Mekies emphasized the importance of gathering data on the new RB22 and its first in-house power unit, developed in conjunction with Ford. He noted that learning in wet conditions is still valuable.
Priorities Moving Forward
- Assessing damage to the RB22
- Determining the opportunities for further running
- Improving performance based on feedback from test runs
Mekies expressed relief that Hadjar was unharmed in the incident. He acknowledged the challenging conditions and recognized that such setbacks are part of the F1 testing process. The team remains focused on analyzing the day’s events and determining their next steps with just one testing day left.
The Road Ahead for Red Bull Racing
Despite the crash, Mekies praised the team’s productive start to the 2026 pre-season. The team has the significant task of integrating its new power units while continuing development on the RB22. He reflected on the pivotal moment of debuting their own power unit and expressed pride in the team’s efforts leading up to the test.
“It was a huge satisfaction to see the car run on Monday morning with our power unit,” Mekies commented. While there’s still much work ahead, the initial runs have provided the team with valuable insights and opportunities for improvement.
As Red Bull weighs its options for further testing in Barcelona, the focus will remain on maximizing performance and ensuring the safety and readiness of their vehicles ahead of the upcoming season.
