Leclerc Optimistic After Ferrari SF-26 Shakedown; Hadjar Crashes Red Bull in Barcelona

Charles Leclerc expressed optimism following the Ferrari SF-26's shakedown in Barcelona, while Isack Hadjar's afternoon session ended abruptly with a crash at Turn 14. The Red Bull junior had been topping the timing sheets moments before the incident, which caused a red flag and damaged the car's rear wing.

Why it matters:

The first tangible running of the 2026 cars provides the initial data points for the new regulatory era. Ferrari's positive feedback suggests they may have started on the right foot, whereas Red Bull's crash serves as an early reminder of the reliability challenges that come with aggressive development under new rules.

The Details:

• Leclerc's Verdict: The Monegasque driver completed the shakedown of the SF-26 during the morning session. Despite challenging weather conditions, he noted that the team ran through its program carefully and concluded the assessment on a positive note.
• Hadjar's Incident: Stepping in for the afternoon session, Hadjar lost control of the RB22 in the final hour. After completing 51 laps and setting the pace ahead of Lewis Hamilton, he made contact with the barriers, causing visible rear wing damage.
• Morning Pacesetter: Max Verstappen dominated the morning session, clocking a time over eight-tenths of a second quicker than Leclerc. This early gap suggests Red Bull's raw pace remains strong despite the later crash.
• Damage Assessment: While the rear wing was clearly damaged, it is currently unclear if the gearbox or other internal components were affected in the impact.

What's next:

As teams wrap up this phase of testing, the focus will shift to damage assessment for Red Bull and data analysis for Ferrari. With the 2026 season approaching, every lap of data is crucial for refining the new packages ahead of the first race.