Verstappen Fastest on Barcelona Day 2 as Hadjar Crash Halts Red Bull Running

Max Verstappen topped the unofficial timing sheets on the second day of pre-season testing in Barcelona, posting a 1:19.578 in the Red Bull RB22. The session was split between dry morning running and a wet afternoon, where the team's progress was reportedly halted by a crash involving rookie teammate Isack Hadjar. Ferrari also took advantage of the track time, fielding both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to gather early data on their new package.

Why it matters:

Early testing data provides the first glimpse into the competitive order ahead of the new season. While Red Bull's raw pace is encouraging, the reported incident with Hadjar raises immediate questions about the RB22's drivability in tricky conditions. Meanwhile, Ferrari's decision to split mileage between Leclerc and Hamilton accelerates the seven-time champion's integration into the team, maximizing their learning curve before the season opener.

The details:

• Red Bull's Mixed Bag: Verstappen’s morning lap was over 1.4 seconds slower than Hadjar's best from Monday, but conditions were not identical. The afternoon session saw Hadjar reportedly crash at Turn 14, causing visible rear-end damage to the car.
• Ferrari's Double Duty: Charles Leclerc completed a race distance (approx. 65 laps) in the morning, finishing just over a second off Verstappen's pace. Lewis Hamilton took over for the afternoon, racking up 53 laps to get acclimated with the Maranello squad.
• Limited Track Action: Only Red Bull and Ferrari utilized the track on Tuesday, with McLaren confirming they will join the program on Wednesday after sitting out the first two days.

What's next:

With Red Bull having used two of their three permitted days, the team must decide when to utilize their final test day. McLaren will join the action on Wednesday, potentially shaking up the timing sheets as more teams sample the 2026 machinery.