Isack Hadjar explains Red Bull crash at Barcelona F1 shakedown

The incident, which saw Hadjar’s Red Bull test car sustain considerable rear-end damage, took place late on Tuesday as the team conducted crucial early testing for its future power unit programme. Hadjar, a prominent member of the Red Bull Junior Team and a Formula 2 competitor, was tasked with accumulating valuable mileage, particularly in varied weather scenarios, when the mishap occurred at the final corner of the Spanish circuit.

"It was nice to have a good day on Monday," Hadjar stated, reflecting on a productive start to his testing duties where he completed an impressive 158 laps. "It was very productive and we managed to do a lot more laps than we had expected, everything went pretty smooth and we had only minor issues. It was quite impressive considering it was our first day with our own power unit."

However, the dynamics shifted on Tuesday. "Unfortunately, on Tuesday, just after switching from wets to inters, I lost control of the car in the final corner and I know the aftermath wasn’t ideal for the team," Hadjar elaborated. This transition from full wet tyres, designed for heavy rain and standing water, to intermediate tyres, suited for damp or drying tracks, presents a notoriously fine line for drivers, especially on a still-soaked surface where grip levels can be highly inconsistent. The optimal operating window for intermediate tyres often requires a specific track temperature and moisture level, and misjudging this transition can lead to sudden and unpredictable loss of traction.

The substantial rear-end damage incurred necessitated an intensive effort from the Red Bull mechanics and engineers. Replacement parts had to be sourced and fitted with urgency to ensure the team could utilise its final permitted day of running. This rapid repair job underscored the commitment and operational efficiency required in Formula 1 development, even during non-competitive shakedowns.

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Red Bull successfully returned to the track on Friday, with reigning World Champion Max Verstappen taking the wheel for the entirety of the day. Verstappen completed an additional 118 laps, pushing the team’s combined total for the shakedown to 303 laps. This extensive mileage is crucial for data acquisition, particularly given the developmental nature of the test.

The shakedown itself was part of a broader, often secretive, testing programme focusing on the 2026 Formula 1 power unit regulations. For Red Bull, this marks a significant strategic shift, as they embark on developing their own Ford-backed Red Bull Powertrains engine. The car used for these tests, referred to as "RB22" in the original report, is understood to be a modified test mule chassis, adapted to accommodate and evaluate the new power unit components under real-world conditions. These test mules are vital tools for validating engine performance, cooling systems, and initial integration with a chassis, long before a definitive 2026 car is built.

Hadjar’s experience, despite the incident, was framed positively by both the driver and the team. "The positive is that I have already started to understand and work on things in the car, there are still a lot of things to tweak of course, but it has been steady so far," he noted. He also provided insights into the characteristics of this "new generation" of F1 cars, likely referring to the test mule’s behaviour with the developmental power unit. "These cars are different, very different, there is definitely a lot less load in general and it is a bit more predictable compared to the previous generation, they are a bit more straightforward. It is easier to play around with them and on the PU [power unit] side there are a lot more options for the driver to play with." This feedback is invaluable for the engineering team as they refine the engine’s driveability and performance characteristics.

Laurent Mekies, the Team Principal for Visa Cash App RB (formerly AlphaTauri), a sister team within the Red Bull family, weighed in on the shakedown’s outcomes, highlighting the broader Red Bull powertrain initiative. "We got more than a hundred laps in on Monday with Isack, which was a positive day and then Tuesday was a bit more difficult for us," Mekies acknowledged. "Max ran in the morning and only got one long run in before the rain came, but we felt it would be good learning and interesting to run in the wet with this new generation of cars."

Mekies further elaborated on the challenging conditions surrounding Hadjar’s incident: "We switched to Isack in the afternoon and there was no chance for dry tyres, but we got some good data in the wet. He went off at the end of the day, in what were very tricky conditions and with a lot of things still to get right on the car side." He maintained a supportive stance towards the young driver, stating, "It was unfortunate, but these things happen and it came after a very positive day on Monday for him. The number of laps Isack completed and the development and learning he and the team gained cannot be underestimated."

The diligent work of the Red Bull personnel was particularly praised by Mekies, especially for their swift response to the damage. "It was an incredible job by the team trackside and back on campus to get RB22 back on track for Friday, there have been some long nights to ensure we got a third day of running," he explained. The ability to recover from a significant incident and maximise track time is a testament to a team’s resilience and logistical prowess.

Max Verstappen’s contribution on Friday was also highlighted. "Max was in the car all day and he too got over 100 laps on the clock, giving insightful and beyond valuable feedback, as we continue to learn about this new car and PU," Mekies noted. Verstappen’s experience as a multi-world champion makes his feedback critical for guiding the developmental direction of the new power unit and chassis integration.

The debut of the Ford-backed Red Bull Powertrains engine was a central theme of the shakedown. "In terms of what we were expecting from the power unit in these first three days, I can only stress how proud we are of everyone back at base who delivered us this PU," Mekies affirmed. The collaboration with Ford represents a significant investment and a long-term vision for Red Bull, aiming for greater self-sufficiency and control over their powertrain development. "Ford were here trackside to see everything come to life and it’s a big thanks to them for their part and support in this special story."

Despite the early positive signs, Mekies maintained a realistic outlook. "Of course, it is very early days and nothing is perfect but we have started to learn already and work as one team on this. It was a great satisfaction, but it doesn’t change the magnitude of the journey ahead of us. We know we have to do our homework and take things step by step."

Isack Hadjar, who is 19 years old and hails from Paris, France, joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 2022. He currently competes in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Campos Racing and serves as a reserve driver for both Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App RB. His participation in such shakedowns is invaluable for his development, providing crucial F1 machinery experience that complements his F2 campaign. The insights gained from handling a powerful, albeit developmental, F1 car in varied conditions are essential for his progression towards a potential future F1 race seat.

The Barcelona shakedown serves as an important precursor to the official pre-season testing, which typically takes place in Bahrain, ahead of the Formula 1 season opener. For Red Bull, these early tests are fundamental in laying the groundwork for the monumental task of developing a competitive power unit for the challenging 2026 regulations, an endeavour that requires relentless dedication and meticulous data analysis from every track session. Hadjar’s incident, while a setback, has provided valuable lessons in the intricate dance between tyres, track conditions, and car dynamics, further informing the team’s ongoing development efforts.

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Jonas Leo: Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.

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