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

Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Ferrari braved the wet conditions at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the second day of 2026 pre-season testing, while McLaren opted to sit out the session. Max Verstappen set the early pace ahead of Charles Leclerc, as both teams prioritized gathering data on their new machinery over setting competitive lap times in the rain.

Why it matters:

With the new 2026 regulations drastically altering the aerodynamic and power unit landscape, every lap of data is vital. Wet weather running provides a unique opportunity to test drivability and system reliability in low-grip conditions, offering insights that dry weather testing simply cannot match.

The details:

• Morning Running: Verstappen topped the timesheets with a lap in the 1:20.0 range, completing 27 laps. Leclerc, despite completing more mileage, was over eight-tenths of a second off the Dutchman's pace.
• Afternoon Swap: The four-time world champion handed over to Red Bull junior Isaac Hadjar, while Leclerc made way for Lewis Hamilton to sample the wet conditions in the SF-26.
• McLaren's Absence: The papaya squad decided against running in the rain to preserve parts and wait for a more representative track environment. They are expected to join the final three days of the test.
• Team Focus: Leclerc noted that Ferrari paid little attention to outright performance, focusing instead on evaluating the car's systems and stretching the legs of the new package.

What's next:

As the test continues, all eyes will be on the weather forecast to see if McLaren can finally debut their 2026 challenger. Meanwhile, Red Bull and Ferrari will dive deep into the data collected by their rookie and veteran drivers to refine their strategies for the season ahead.