Hadjar Collides with Red Bull’s Latest F1 Car
On the second day of Formula 1’s first pre-season test in Barcelona, Isack Hadjar collided with Red Bull’s latest RB22 car. This incident occurred as teams began adjusting to new chassis and engine regulations ahead of the 2026 season. The five-day test is taking place behind closed doors at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Details of the Incident
Hadjar was tasked with driving on both days, with teammate Max Verstappen participating on the first day and in the morning session of the second day. Rain started falling around 10:40 AM local time on Tuesday, impacting the testing conditions.
Hadjar resumed driving in the afternoon but crashed during the session. He lost control of the car in Turn 14, where the rear of the RB22 hit the Tecpro barrier. Social media footage captured the moment of the incident, leading to concerns over the vehicle’s state.
Red Bull’s Statement
- A Red Bull spokesperson confirmed that Isack Hadjar was “all good” following the crash.
- The crash occurred approximately 40 minutes before the session concluded.
- Although the crash was unfortunate, Red Bull has time to recover and not miss significant track time.
Impact on Test Progress
The scarcity of spare parts at this time of year presents a challenge for teams as they push to enhance their vehicles. With limited time to test before the season starts, these incidents can derail development plans.
Interestingly, the three-day limit for testing could provide Red Bull some leeway. The team could potentially wait until Friday for their third allocated test day, allowing time for new parts if necessary.
Competitors in Testing
On Tuesday, Red Bull shared the track with Ferrari, where Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton drove the Scuderia’s SF-26. This underscores the competitive nature of the pre-season test, as teams prepare for the challenges ahead of the Formula 1 season.
As the test progresses, all eyes will remain on the developments from Red Bull and their response to this early setback.
