Red Bull Racing’s preparations for Formula One’s new era hit a major setback Tuesday after rookie Isack Hadjar crashed the team’s debut 2026 challenger during a private shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

The accident occurred in treacherous wet conditions during the final hour of running on Day 2 of the five-day "closed-door" test. Hadjar, the 21-year-old Frenchman recently promoted from the junior ranks, reportedly lost control at Turn 14, the high-speed right-hander leading onto the main straight, spinning backwards into the TecPro barriers.

Damage and Spares Crisis

The impact caused considerable damage to the rear of the new RB22, destroying the rear wing and suspension assembly. While Hadjar was confirmed to be uninjured, the crash has triggered an emergency assessment at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes headquarters.

Because the 2026 cars are in their infancy, teams are operating with a critical shortage of spare parts. Team Principal Laurent Mekies admitted the team is "not sure" it can repair the car on-site. "The priority right now is to assess the damage to see what opportunities it gives us to run in the next few days," Mekies told reporters. "We only have one day (available) left, so we have to make sure we play that card carefully."

Interrupted Progress

The crash overshadowed a day that began with high-profile debuts but was plagued by weather:

  • Verstappen's Morning: Three-time champion Max Verstappen sampled the RB22 for the first time Tuesday morning, though his session was briefly halted when he slid into the gravel at Turn 5. He completed 27 laps before the rain intensified.
  • Hadjar's Performance: Despite the crash, Hadjar had been the standout of the test until the accident, completing a field-leading 107 laps on Monday and setting the unofficial fastest time in dry conditions.
  • The Ford Engine: Red Bull engineers remained optimistic about their first-ever in-house power unit, developed with Ford. Hadjar previously described the engine's driveability as "surprisingly smooth" and "impressive" for a debut.

The Wider Field

While Red Bull dealt with the fallout of the crash, Ferrari utilised the wet afternoon to give seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton his first extended run in the SF-26. Hamilton completed 45 laps, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc’s 64-lap morning tally.

McLaren and several other outfits, including Mercedes and Audi, opted to remain in their garages on Tuesday to avoid the rain. McLaren is expected to make its track debut on Wednesday, Jan 28, as weather conditions are forecast to improve.

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Red Bull must now decide whether to attempt a repair for a Wednesday return or delay its final day of testing until Friday to allow for parts to be flown in from the UK.