P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 Testing 2026: Max Verstappen wobbles as Barcelona outing ends with crash
On day two of the F1 private shakedown in Barcelona, Max Verstappen had a wobble and his team-mate Isack Hadjar crashed in rainy conditions, marking the main highlights of the day. Only Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc joined Red Bull and Scuderia Ferrari on the wet track, while the other nine F1 teams chose not to run to preserve their allowed three days. McLaren will make their 2026 debut on Wednesday and continue until the shakedown’s final day on Friday. Williams skipped the event due to unpreparedness, while Aston Martin runs only on Thursday and Friday. Several teams, including Mercedes and Alpine, also opted out of running on the rain-affected day.
Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, and Hadjar were the only drivers who braved the conditions and completed limited laps. Despite strict regulations and little track time, the teams’ reliability remained impressive. Verstappen caused a red flag with a spin, followed by Hadjar crashing into the wall, damaging his car’s rear wing and suspension. This incident led to the early end of Red Bull’s testing on day two.
Ferrari and Red Bull used up one of their allotted days, with Ferrari having two days left and Red Bull only one. A shakedown is the initial opportunity for teams to run their cars on track without limitations, testing new features extensively. This private shakedown is crucial for teams to assess their cars’ performance and make necessary adjustments before the season begins.
