Hadjar Crash Ends Red Bull's Barcelona Test Early

Isack Hadjar’s afternoon running in Barcelona was reportedly cut short after a crash at the final corner brought out the red flags. With rain impacting the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the Red Bull junior is said to have lost control of the RB22 at Turn 14, sustaining damage to the rear suspension and wing. This incident halted the team's testing program prematurely just as they were shifting focus to their new lineup.

Why it matters:

Limited track time is precious during pre-season testing, and losing the afternoon session hampers Red Bull's ability to gather data on the RB22's wet weather performance. For Hadjar, this was a crucial opportunity to impress in the senior car, and the crash complicates his evaluation. It also underscores the unforgiving nature of F1 machinery, even in shakedown conditions designed for system checks rather than outright speed.

The details:

• Weather Impact: Persistent rain meant only Red Bull and Ferrari opted to run, with Verstappen and Leclerc handling the morning duties before handing over to Hadjar and Hamilton.
• The Incident: The crash occurred around 4:20 PM at the fast right-hander of Turn 14, ending Red Bull's day immediately.
• Damage Report: Early reports suggest significant damage to the rear end of the car, specifically the suspension and rear wing.
• Ferrari's Progress: Unlike Red Bull, Ferrari managed to complete its full run plan, with Leclerc focusing on systems checks before Hamilton took over.

What's next:

The team will likely work through the night to repair the RB22, though the extent of the damage remains to be seen. Attention now turns to Day 3, where McLaren is expected to join the fray with the MCL40, increasing the density of traffic on track.