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Verstappen’s red flag drama steals spotlight on chaotic day two of Barcelona F1 testing

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
January 28, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Verstappen’s red flag drama steals spotlight on chaotic day two of Barcelona F1 testing

Formula 1 Testing Shocker: Red Bull’s Rollercoaster Day Two in Barcelona!

Day two of the much-anticipated Formula 1 testing in Barcelona unfolded like a dramatic thriller, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the center of a storm of red flags and unexpected challenges. The excitement kicked off as Verstappen took his first spin in the RB22, only to find himself skidding off the track and into the gravel on his outlap! This unexpected slip-up sent shockwaves through the paddock and momentarily halted the session, forcing the team to scramble back to the garage for repairs.

As if that wasn’t enough, the skies opened up later in the morning, dousing the track and limiting Verstappen’s dry-lap opportunities. Despite the weather chaos, he still managed to clock a blistering time of 1m19.578s, edging out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. However, it was a stark 1.4 seconds slower than teammate Isack Hadjar’s impressive performance from the previous day. With the rain-soaked afternoon, both Hadjar and Lewis Hamilton struggled to find their footing, leaving their times significantly behind.

Here are the standout times from the chaotic day two of testing: 1. Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1m19.578s, 27 laps 2. Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1m20.844s, 66 laps 3. Hadjar (Red Bull) – 1m31.891s, 42 laps 4. Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1m32.872s, 57 laps

Ferrari’s Remarkable Resilience Amidst Rain

While Red Bull faced a series of setbacks, Ferrari emerged as the resilient powerhouse of the day. After a modest 15km shakedown at Fiorano, the Scuderia was eager to hit the ground running on day two. Despite the relentless rain, the team showed no signs of backing down, racking up an impressive 100 laps and showcasing their new engine’s reliability. Leclerc, visibly optimistic, stated, “We’ve gone through the very first preliminary check of the car, which everything went properly, and little by little, we’ll just go through our checklist.”

Ferrari’s head of track engineering, Matteo Togninalli, hailed the day as “productive,” emphasizing the importance of logging solid mileage without major reliability issues. This robust performance is a promising indication of Ferrari’s potential as they gear up for the upcoming season.

Red Bull’s Dream Turned Nightmare

What started as a dream debut for Red Bull on Monday quickly morphed into a nightmare on Tuesday. Verstappen’s limited running time left him with barely any opportunity to grasp the nuances of the new RB22, thwarting critical learning about the car and engine. The situation worsened when Hadjar’s crash added further strain to an already tumultuous day. The team, grappling with the aftermath of these incidents, found themselves in a precarious position as they risked wasting valuable testing time.

With the clock ticking on their three-day testing window, Red Bull’s gamble to push through the weather was fraught with peril. As they navigated the tricky conditions, the team could only hope their spare parts were ample enough to complete their testing program without further incident.

McLaren’s Strategic Delay: A Tactical Move?

In a surprising twist, McLaren chose to postpone their testing debut until Wednesday, opting for a strategic advantage. With their MCL40 still untested, this decision allows McLaren to maximize their three-day testing allowance while potentially avoiding the chaos of day two. While this creates added pressure to make each day count, the team is confident that this delay will lead to a more prepared and productive outing.

A spokesperson for McLaren confirmed, “We plan to run on track for the final three days of testing, while the opening days have provided an important opportunity for the full car to be assembled and checked.”

A Day of Surprises: Who Stayed Away?

Interestingly, Red Bull was the only team to return to the track on Tuesday, while others opted to sit out and wait for clearer skies. Teams like Audi and Cadillac who had faced technical issues on Monday took this opportunity to resolve their concerns, while others simply chose to avoid the rain-soaked chaos. With better weather on the horizon for the rest of the week, many teams now have the flexibility to strategically choose their testing days, potentially setting the stage for a more fruitful testing experience.

As the drama unfolds in Barcelona, fans and teams alike are left on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating what the rest of the testing days will bring!

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-mclaren-f1-championshipaf-corse-ferrariCharles LeclercLewis Hamiltonmax-verstappen-enoracle-red-bull-racing
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