Isack Hadjar Crashes During Barcelona Testing Afternoon Session

Isack Hadjar ended the Barcelona afternoon session on a sour note, crashing the RB22 at Turn 14 during the final hour. The incident brought out a red flag and left the Red Bull with visible rear wing damage, though it is currently unclear if the gearbox or other components were affected in the impact.

Why it matters:

Testing time is incredibly precious, particularly with the new 2026 regulations on the horizon. A crash halts valuable data collection for Red Bull and raises immediate questions about the car's handling in tricky, weather-affected conditions. It also abruptly cuts short Hadjar's valuable opportunity to impress while driving the factory car.

The details:

• The Incident: Hadjar lost control at Turn 14, making heavy contact with the barriers. The impact was significant enough to require a red flag stoppage.
• Performance: Despite the crash, Hadjar showed strong pace prior to the incident. The crash occurred shortly after his 45th lap, a stint where he had actually topped the timing sheets ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton.
• Morning Context: Earlier in the day, Max Verstappen took charge of the morning session. The four-time champion was reportedly over eight-tenths of a second quicker than Charles Leclerc, showcasing strong pace in mixed weather conditions.

What's next:

Red Bull mechanics will work to assess the full extent of the damage, specifically checking the gearbox integrity. As pre-season activities ramp up, the team will focus on repairing the car quickly to maximize track time and ensure reliability under the new regulations.