Early setback for Red Bull as RB22 damaged in Hadjar crash at Circuit de Catalunya

As the 2026 F1 season is set to begin, Red Bull Racing’s first shakedown ended earlier than planned at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona after Isack Hadjar crashed the team’s new RB22 during an afternoon session. What was meant to be a crucial early run quickly turned into a challenging day, forcing the team to abandon its programme amid unexpected setbacks while preparing for the upcoming season.

Also Read | Oklahoma aim revival against Arkansas in crucial SEC home test

Crash halts Red Bull wet-weather testing

21-year-old Hadjar, who was recently promoted to Red Bull’s main Formula 1 squad, was handed driving duties in place of Max Verstappen under tricky wet conditions. With rain falling steadily, the French driver was running on intermediate tyres when he lost control of the car. The RB22 spun off and hit the barriers, suffering heavy damage to its rear section. As a result, Red Bull was forced to halt its programme and cancel the second day of testing.

Despite the severity of the impact, Hadjar walked away unhurt. Team principal Laurent Mekies later described the incident as "very unfortunate," stressing that the conditions made testing difficult for everyone. Before the weather and track conditions deteriorated, Hadjar had shown encouraging pace and set competitive times on Day 1.

Rain hampers Barcelona sessions

Persistent rain throughout Tuesday severely limited track time, making it difficult for teams to carry out meaningful running. While Red Bull and Ferrari continued with their programmes, several teams, including McLaren, chose to postpone their sessions due to safety concerns. Poor grip levels, surface issues and sudden weather changes further disrupted the day’s plans.

Also Read | NBA Trade Deadline 2026: Players to watch out for, what to know and why it matters

Red Bull faces uncertain testing schedule

Following the crash and the extensive damage to the RB22, Red Bull’s testing schedule now remains uncertain. The team is focused on repairs while reassessing its remaining running time. With just one testing day left in the five-day Barcelona session and only three shakedown days permitted, Red Bull faces a challenging period as it looks to recover valuable preparation time ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season.