F1 Testing: Ferrari and Red Bull Take to the Track on Day 2
Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, along with four-time world champion Max Verstappen, made their 2026 preseason debuts on the second day of testing at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. The day was marked by a crash for Isack Hadjar, according to sources, and a relatively quiet session with only Ferrari and Red Bull participating.
The private test, which allows teams to run for a maximum of three out of five available days, saw seven teams take to the track on Monday. However, the forecast of inclement weather on Tuesday deterred most teams from participating, with only Ferrari and Red Bull opting to run. Reigning world champions McLaren did not hit the track but confirmed they will make their debut on Wednesday and intend to complete a full schedule across the remaining three days.
Verstappen Tops the Morning Session
Leclerc was joined on track by Verstappen in a quiet morning session where the faster times were set. Sources indicate that Verstappen topped the session with a 1:19.578, 1.3s ahead of Leclerc. The drivers then handed over to their teammates, Hamilton and Hadjar, respectively, in the afternoon.
Hadjar, in his second full day in the Red Bull, ended up in the barriers in the final sector, bringing out red flags in the afternoon, according to sources. The incident highlights the challenges teams face during preseason testing, where drivers are pushing their cars to the limit.
As is the case all week, public information was scarce in the behind-closed-doors event. However, pictures emerged of Ferrari and Red Bull both on track with intermediate wet tires fitted to their cars, highlighting the conditions for much of the day. Sources also said Verstappen briefly triggered a red flag when he went off track during the morning session, but his car escaped without any damage and did not appear to affect the team’s plan for the day.
Leclerc Optimistic About Ferrari’s Chances
Leclerc continued the early optimism surrounding the launch of Ferrari’s new car. Speaking to F1 TV after finishing his stint, Leclerc said, “I’m very excited. I’m very excited to see what the others have in store and when we start pushing a little bit more, see where we are compared to the others.” He added, “I think this year is a big opportunity for every team to do something different and to maybe gain a bigger advantage than what we’ve seen in the last few years. I hope we are the team that will manage to make the difference. But wherever we start, we will push at the maximum to try and bring Ferrari back to the top. It’s been quite a few years, so I hope that this one is ours.”
Mercedes, one of the teams that opted not to run on Tuesday, has become the early favorite ahead of the Australian Grand Prix on March 8. The team’s decision to skip the second day of testing may be a strategic move, as they focus on fine-tuning their car for the upcoming season.
As the preseason testing continues, fans and teams alike will be eagerly watching the developments and waiting for the first race of the season. With the likes of Verstappen, Leclerc, and Hamilton vying for the top spot, the 2026 F1 season promises to be an exciting one.
