Red Bull and Ferrari brave wet Barcelona conditions as McLaren waits out rain

Red Bull and Ferrari braved the rain at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the second day of 2026 pre-season testing, while McLaren opted to sit out the wet session. Max Verstappen led the way for Red Bull, outpacing Charles Leclerc's Ferrari, as both teams prioritized gathering data on their new machinery rather than chasing performance in the tricky conditions.

Why it matters:

With the 2026 regulations introducing massive changes to the power unit and aerodynamics, understanding how the new cars behave in adverse weather is critical. Wet-weather running provides unique insights into tire behavior and drivability that dry running cannot replicate, giving Red Bull and Ferrari a potential early advantage in mapping out the operating window of their challengers.

The details:

• Red Bull's Pace: Max Verstappen kicked off the morning session, completing 27 laps with a best time in the 1:20s range. The team handed over the car to reserve driver Isaac Hadjar for the afternoon session to continue the data collection program.
• Ferrari's Evaluation: Charles Leclerc joined the track shortly after Verstappen but ended the morning over eight-tenths of a second slower. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton took over driving duties for the Scuderia in the afternoon.
• Focus on Data: Leclerc emphasized that the Maranello outfit paid little attention to lap times, focusing solely on evaluating the newly assembled SF-26 and stretching its legs in the rain.
• McLaren's Strategy: The papaya team decided against running in the wet conditions at Montmeló. They are expected to debut their 2026 challenger during the final three days of testing when the weather is forecast to improve.

What's next:

The final three days of testing will likely see McLaren join the fray, providing the first true look at the competitive order. Teams will be hoping for drier conditions to unlock more performance potential from the new regulations before the season opener.