Verstappen Tops Rain-Hit Barcelona Test Day 2 as Hadjar Crashes
Verstappen leads wet Barcelona test day 2; Hadjar crashes RB22 as Ferrari and Red Bull focus on mileage.
Max Verstappen set the pace on a disrupted second day of 2026 pre-season testing in Barcelona, where rain limited meaningful dry running to the early morning. While Red Bull and Ferrari focused on mileage, the session ended on a sour note for the energy drink team after a heavy crash for reserve driver Isack Hadjar.
Why it matters:
With the new regulations just around the corner, teams are desperate for data in dry conditions to validate their simulation tools. The incident involving Hadjar serves as an early reliability wake-up call for Red Bull, while Ferrari's ability to rack up laps with both Leclerc and Hamilton suggests a positive start to their new era.
The details:
- Weather Woes: The track was only dry for the first couple of hours before rain set in, forcing teams to switch to wet-weather programs or pack up early.
- Red Bull's Mixed Bag: Verstappen’s 1:19.580 stood as the fastest time of the day. However, the team faced a setback when Hadjar crashed heavily at the final corner, causing major rear damage to the RB22.
- Ferrari's Mileage: Charles Leclerc was the busiest driver, completing 64 laps to finish second fastest. Lewis Hamilton took over the SF-26 in the afternoon, posting the fourth-fastest time but managing 56 laps in tricky conditions.
- Quiet Track: Following a busy opening day, the field was reduced to just Red Bull and Ferrari, allowing for a more focused but less representative look at the competitive order.
What's next:
Teams will now pore over the data gathered during the limited dry window. Red Bull mechanics face a race against time to repair Hadjar's car, while Ferrari will analyze the early feedback from Hamilton to see if they can maintain this momentum into the season opener.