Red Bull assesses damage after Hadjar's RB22 crash in Barcelona testing

Red Bull is currently weighing its options for a final day of running in Barcelona after Isack Hadjar crashed the team's new RB22 during Tuesday's wet session. The incident occurred at the final corner, damaging the rear of the 2026 challenger and abruptly ending the Frenchman's day. With the team still analyzing whether the spin was caused by driver error or a technical issue, Team Principal Laurent Mekies confirmed that the priority is assessing the damage to determine if a return to the track on Wednesday is feasible.

Why it matters:

This Barcelona test is not just a standard shakedown; it is the debut of Red Bull's first-ever in-house power unit developed in partnership with Ford. After years of relying on Honda, the team is embarking on a massive technical transition. Every lap is vital for understanding the behavior of the new powertrain, making the loss of running time due to the crash a frustrating complication in an already compressed testing window.

The details:

• The Crash: Hadjar spun backwards into the wall in tricky wet conditions. While the exact cause remains under investigation, Mekies noted that the track was "very tricky" and such incidents are "part of the game."
• Verstappen's Input: Max Verstappen completed the morning session, managing a single dry run before the rain arrived. His feedback, combined with Hadjar's mileage from Monday, provides a baseline for the car's potential.
• Testing Strategy: Red Bull has already utilized two of its three allocated testing days (Monday and Tuesday). Since teams are restricted to three days out of five, the squad is not under pressure to run on Wednesday morning, allowing them to be strategic about repairs.
• Mekies' Praise: Despite the setback, Mekies hailed the Milton Keynes team for a "very positive" start. He emphasized the incredible effort required to get the RB22 ready with its own engine, calling the initial rollout on Monday morning a "huge satisfaction" for the factory.

What's next:

The engineering team is now working to repair the rear-end damage of the RB22 before making a final call on Wednesday's schedule. Even if the car does not return to the track this week, Red Bull has successfully cleared the initial hurdle of running its proprietary power unit. The data collected will be critical as the team shifts focus to the intense development cycle required to be competitive for the 2026 regulations.