Hadjar crash halts Red Bull's Barcelona test
Isack Hadjar crashed Red Bull's RB22 during a wet Barcelona test session, ending the team's day two running early. The incident caused significant damage to the car, though Red Bull retains flexibility with its remaining test allocation.
Isack Hadjar brought an early end to Red Bull’s second day of testing in Barcelona after crashing at the final corner late on Tuesday. With roughly 30 minutes remaining in a rain-affected session, the junior driver lost control of the RB22, skipped across the gravel trap, and made heavy contact with the tire barriers. The incident caused significant damage, including the loss of the rear wing, effectively ending the team's running for the day.
Why it matters:
This interruption comes at a critical time for Red Bull as they evaluate their new power unit developed in partnership with Ford. While the team showed strong pace on Monday, losing valuable track time—especially in wet conditions that provide unique data—is a setback. However, Red Bull's unique position as the only team to run on the first two days offers them strategic flexibility to manage repairs without sacrificing their total testing allocation.
The details:
- The Incident: The crash occurred while Hadjar was gaining wet weather experience after taking over from Max Verstappen. It is currently unclear whether the shunt was caused by driver error or a technical issue with the car.
- Damage Assessment: Eyewitnesses reported the car ended up backwards against the barriers. The damage to the rear wing and other components raises questions about the availability of spare parts for Wednesday.
- Strategic Advantage: Red Bull has already utilized two of its three allotted test days. This allows them to potentially pause running to fly in spares from the UK, unlike other teams who are sticking to a stricter schedule.
- Performance Context: Despite the crash, Red Bull remains competitive. Verstappen set the fastest time of the day (1m19.578s) in dry conditions earlier in the session, while Ferrari was the only other team on track.
Looking ahead:
Red Bull now faces a decision on whether to resume running on Wednesday or delay their final test day to facilitate repairs. Ferrari will continue their program, focusing on mileage with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The focus now shifts to how quickly Red Bull can repair the RB19 and whether they can maintain their early momentum in the development race.