Red Bull's Barcelona test disrupted by crash, parts delay

Red Bull Racing will miss a fourth consecutive day of Formula 1's Barcelona pre-season test as it awaits critical spare parts following a crash, putting its final day of running in doubt. The team is now in a race against time to repair its car for Friday's session after Isack Hadjar's incident on Tuesday.

Why it matters:

Pre-season testing is a critical, time-limited opportunity for teams to gather data and refine their cars before the competitive season begins. Missing multiple days, especially with a brand-new power unit like Red Bull's, represents a significant setback in understanding the car's performance and reliability, potentially impacting their preparation for the opening races.

The details:

• Red Bull utilized its first two allocated test days on Monday and Tuesday, focusing on data collection for its new 2024 power unit.
• The program was cut short on Tuesday when rookie Isack Hadjar lost control and hit the barrier, causing substantial damage to the car.
• The team initially sat out Wednesday to fully assess the damage and has now confirmed it will also skip Thursday's running.
• The delay is due to waiting for specific spare parts to arrive at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which are expected later on Thursday.
• Once parts arrive, the mechanics will begin the repair process with the hope of being ready for Friday's final day of testing.

What's next:

The team's participation in Friday's test now hinges on a swift and successful repair job once the parts arrive. Any further delays or complications would mean Red Bull completes its pre-season with only two days of running, a substantial disadvantage compared to rivals who will have logged three full days. All focus is on returning to the track to salvage valuable track time before testing concludes.