Hadjar tops Barcelona testing as Red Bull's new power unit impresses

Isack Hadjar set the pace on the first day of 2026 pre-season testing in Barcelona, leading a "surprisingly productive" session for Red Bull. The team's debut with its own power unit raised eyebrows not just for the pace, but for the sheer reliability shown across both Red Bull and Racing Bulls cars.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's transition to manufacturing its own power unit was a massive question mark entering the new regulatory era. Reliability was the primary concern, but a smooth opening day suggests they may have avoided the early pitfalls that often plague new engine projects, immediately establishing themselves as contenders.

The details:

• Hadjar posted a 1:18.159s, finishing roughly half a second clear of Mercedes' George Russell.
• Reliability Focus: The Frenchman completed 107 laps, while teammate Liam Lawson added 88 in the sister Racing Bulls car. This mileage is a strong indicator of the new engine's robustness.
• Hadjar described the day as "surprisingly" smooth, noting the power unit felt "solid" and not far off what he was used to.
• Mercedes' View: George Russell, who finished second, admitted he was impressed by the Red Bull-powered teams. He noted that the grid looks much more competitive than the 2014 season, where Mercedes dominated while others struggled.

What's next:

With the initial hurdle cleared, the focus will shift to performance consistency and long-run data as testing continues. Mercedes also showed strong pace with 149 combined laps, but Red Bull's early reliability statement sets a high bar for the rest of the field.