Wet Weather Limits Barcelona Testing to Verstappen and Leclerc
Rain disrupted Day 2 in Barcelona, leaving only Verstappen and Leclerc on track. While Verstappen debuted the RB22 with a spin, Leclerc logged 45 laps for Ferrari as other teams sat out.
Heavy rain at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya forced most teams to stay in the garage on Day 2 of pre-season testing, leaving Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc as the sole representatives on track. While the rest of the grid opted to save mileage amidst forecasts of persistent rain, Red Bull and Ferrari took the opportunity to evaluate their 2026 machinery in tricky conditions, marking the debut of the RB22 and Ferrari's first appearance of the week.
Why it matters:
Acquiring reliable data in wet conditions is rare but critical for correlating simulation models with real-world performance. By braving the elements while competitors sat out, Red Bull and Ferrari gained valuable insights into tire behavior and drivability on a damp track. This early running allows both teams to validate cooling systems and power unit deployment maps in sub-optimal weather, providing a potential data advantage should similar conditions occur during the season.
The details:
- Verstappen's Debut: The four-time world champion took the wheel of the RB22 for the first time but caused a brief red flag in the opening minutes after sliding into the gravel. He recovered safely to complete 24 laps by lunchtime, setting a benchmark of 1:20.0 before the rain intensified.
- Ferrari's Mileage: Charles Leclerc enjoyed a productive session despite the mixed conditions, outpacing Verstappen in terms of volume with 45 laps completed. His best effort stood at a 1:20.8, giving Ferrari a solid baseline of data after missing the opening day.
- Strategic Choice: Several teams confirmed prior to the session that they would not run due to the weather forecast. This decision left the track largely empty, highlighting the contrasting approaches to risk management and data collection during the limited pre-season window.
What's next:
Rain is expected to continue throughout the afternoon session, likely limiting further meaningful performance running. Teams on track will likely shift focus to long-run reliability checks and system validation rather than chasing lap times, with the hope that drier conditions will return for the remaining days of the test.