Jan.28 (GMM) Formula 1’s tightly guarded Barcelona ‘shakedown week’ delivered its first real incident on Tuesday when Isack Hadjar crashed the new Red Bull car in the fast final corner amid treacherous conditions.
With heavy rain forecast, most teams elected not to run at all, leaving only Red Bull and Ferrari on track. Rain arrived as early as 10:30am, severely limiting meaningful mileage.
Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies played down the crash, stressing the difficult conditions.
“The conditions were very tricky in the afternoon, and it was obviously very unfortunate that the day ended that way, but these things can always happen,” Mekies said.
“We will now do our best to repair the car.”
Mekies added that Max Verstappen also saw his program curtailed by the weather.
“He only got one lap before the rain, but that’s part of it,” he said.
Verstappen eventually logging 26 laps in damp conditions and suffered a minor spin. Despite the limited running, rivals have been struck by the apparent strength of Red Bull’s new in-house Red Bull-Ford power unit.
Red Bull Powertrains technical director Ben Hodgkinson said the foundations of the program were strong.
“I have spent a great deal of my life designing racing engines,” Hodgkinson said. “I know what a good racing engine department looks like. I sensed an opportunity to build something very special here at Red Bull Powertrains, and Red Bull spared no expense in creating a first-class infrastructure.”
“I have complete confidence in our skilled workers and our engine plant,” he added. “We have all the ingredients to be successful here.”
Rivals have also noted Red Bull’s aggressive “size zero” sidepod concept.
Mercedes chose not to run in the wet, citing tyre management. “We don’t have too many sets of intermediate tyres from Pirelli,” Mercedes chief engineer Andrew Shovlin explained. “While it’s useful to get to know the car on a wet track, we don’t want to rush anything.”
Ferrari did complete running with both race drivers, with engineering chief Matteo Togninalli encouraged by early signs.
“Looking back at yesterday, our customer teams, to whom we supply engines, also accumulated a lot of mileage, and that’s a good sign,” he said.
Alpine, Audi and Cadillac also opted not to run, while McLaren postponed the planned debut of its black test livery due to the conditions.
One of the few visible technical novelties came via footage showing the new mirror-mounted hazard lights in operation. The lights flash simultaneously on both sides to warn following drivers of a slow or stopped car, with brighter and faster pulses than conventional road-car indicators.
The Monaco Grand Prix, often called the crown jewel of Formula 1, is one of the most prestigious races in the world and part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport alongside the Indy 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans. Starting in 2026, the race will move from May to June to better align with the F1 schedule, placing the Canadian Grand Prix earlier in the season. Grand Prix Tours has taken care of all of the details and has arranged an amazing motorsports vacation. Call 949 719 3350 to book your trip or to contact us with any questions.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix at the iconic Red Bull Ring; a fan favorite that rarely disappoints. Set in Austria’s stunning Styrian Hills, this scenic circuit is famous for its dramatic elevation changes and thrilling uphill turns. We’ve planned every detail so you can relax and enjoy an unforgettable motorsport getaway.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours at the legendary Silverstone Circuit for the 2026 British Grand Prix; the birthplace of modern F1. This isn’t just race weekend; you’ll visit the British Motor Museum, explore the Silverstone Museum, and enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Oracle Red Bull Racing Factory. With over 40 years of experience hosting this trip, we’ve thought of every detail for the ultimate F1 fan experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 32nd Goodwood Festival of Speed in the South of England, a long summer weekend celebrating the greatest moments in motorsport. Held at the magnificent Goodwood House, this world-renowned event showcases an unparalleled collection of historic and modern racing cars from the past 125 years. We’ve taken care of every detail so you can enjoy an unforgettable motorsport getaway.
SHOW PACKAGES
Grand Prix Tours delivers the ultimate 2026 Belgian Grand Prix experience on July 19 at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps. Famed for its stunning setting, rich racing history, and iconic corners like Eau Rouge, Spa offers one of Formula 1’s most thrilling weekends, complete with unpredictable weather and nonstop action. With only a one-year contract in place, this could be your last chance to witness F1 at this historic circuit.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience Northern Italy like a true motorsport insider on our Italian Extravaganza, the perfect lead-in to the Italian Grand Prix. Journey through the heart of Italy’s legendary supercar region with exclusive access and behind-the-scenes insights into iconic brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Pagani, and more. Along the way, enjoy a unique visit to a family-run balsamic vinegar producer for an authentic tasting experience. For car enthusiasts, this is the ultimate way to elevate your Italian Grand Prix weekend.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours in Northern Italy for the unforgettable 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. With over 95 years of racing history, passionate Ferrari fans, and electrifying post-race celebrations, Monza delivers one of the most thrilling weekends in motorsport. Enjoy a seamless experience with accommodations in stunning Como, airport and track transfers, and an exclusive pre-race dinner with a racing celebrity, backed by our 40+ years of expertise at this iconic event.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours in Austin, Texas for the high-energy 2026 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Experience nonstop action on one of Formula 1’s most exciting tracks, featuring dramatic elevation changes, thrilling overtakes, and a packed race weekend. Off the track, enjoy a festival atmosphere with live music, world-famous BBQ, and buzzing nightlife. Your Grand Prix Tours package includes a fully curated race weekend, highlighted by exclusive access to our private F1 Celebrity Talk Show, where guests gain insider insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives. With demand soaring and this event quickly becoming a modern American racing tradition, now is the time to secure your spot for an unforgettable Austin Grand Prix experience.
SHOW PACKAGES