The Red Bull Formula 1 team wrapped up their Barcelona testing with encouraging results, but a wealth of data still needs detailed analysis. Max Verstappen shared his impressions of driving the new RB22 and reflected on the progress made during the crucial winter shakedown.
All teams, with the exception of Williams, completed their initial mileage on the new 2026 cars at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Red Bull showed strong reliability overall, although their programme was somewhat limited by Isack Hadjar’s earlier crash. Following the Barcelona tests, the team will return to their Milton Keynes factory to carefully review the data and plan adjustments for the upcoming official tests.
Red Bull’s disrupted testing schedule
Red Bull began running immediately on the first day of testing. However, their schedule was disrupted on the second day when Isack Hadjar lost control of the RB22 in wet conditions at turn 14, colliding with the barriers and damaging the rear of the car. The incident destroyed the rear wing and affected suspension components, forcing the team to assess the damage thoroughly and adjust their programme for the remaining days.
Due to the shortage of replacement parts required to fully repair the RB22, Red Bull was unable to run for several sessions while awaiting components from Milton Keynes. The full day of testing finally resumed with Max Verstappen behind the wheel, taking charge of the programme and completing extensive mileage.
Verstappen’s final day performance
Max Verstappen recorded the seventh-fastest lap of the Barcelona tests with a time of 1:17.586 and completed an impressive total of 118 laps during his day on track. Despite the earlier disruptions, the four-time world champion expressed overall satisfaction with the testing week.
Verstappen reflected that returning to the track was a positive experience. He noted that while his first morning in the car was limited by wet conditions, the final day allowed for valuable mileage, learning, and car development. He emphasised that much work remains to understand the new RB22 fully and optimise settings, but he viewed the initial running as a solid foundation for the season ahead.
The Dutch driver highlighted the progress Red Bull has made with the power unit over the past years. Seeing the engine perform reliably and completing substantial kilometres on the first proper outings was a particularly exciting moment for the team. Verstappen mentioned the palpable energy in the garage, describing it as a special experience for all involved.
Looking forward, Verstappen explained that Red Bull’s testing remains a work in progress. They will continue to adjust setups, refine engine performance, and complete as many laps as possible to gather critical data. He stressed that understanding the car fully is a complex process under the 2026 regulations, and the team will use the Bahrain tests to build on the foundations laid in Barcelona.
Overall, the final day of Red Bull’s Barcelona testing demonstrated solid reliability and valuable data collection, positioning the team well for the next phase of winter testing. Verstappen’s feedback confirms that, despite previous setbacks, the RB22 is performing consistently and providing a positive platform for development.
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