This is what occurred on day two of F1’s secretive closed-door 2026 shakedown

The second day of System 1’s secretive ‘shakedown week’ on the Circuit de Catalunya proved a lot quieter as solely two groups took to the monitor. Ferrari, like McLaren, had signalled its intention to overlook the opening day however the reigning constructors’ champion additionally didn’t seem on the second.

Every crew is permitted three days of working through the five-day ‘shakedown’, and these wouldn’t have to be consecutive.

Lots of the groups in attendance had steered they have been unlikely to run on Tuesday, owing to the forecast rain, however Ferrari braved the circumstances and Charles Leclerc emerged from the storage as quickly because the monitor went ‘reside’ at 9am.

Even earlier than then, Haas had introduced it could not be working, preferring to spend the day digesting information from Monday – throughout which the crew is believed to have accomplished 154 laps, a better distance than another crew.

Because the skies started to darken the session was briefly red-flagged, reportedly as a result of Max Verstappen had gone off-track at Flip 5 on his out-lap.

Because the drizzle rolled in and intensified to rain shortly earlier than 11am native time, Mercedes confirmed it could additionally not be taking to the monitor. However Purple Bull and Ferrari had come outfitted for inclement climate, with two units of full moist tyres in addition to 4 units of intermediates.

Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing

Lewis Hamilton took over from Leclerc within the afternoon. Whereas he may have a brand new race engineer this season, it’s understood he will likely be working with Leclerc’s long-time engineer Bryan Bozzi through the shakedown.

Isack Hadjar took over from Verstappen within the afternoon and spun late on, smiting the barrier at Flip 14 – the quick right-hander which leads onto the principle straight – and bringing out a crimson flag. The aftermath of this second was captured on video by a doughty observer watching by way of a protracted lens from a close-by hill. Purple Bull’s spokespeople to substantiate Hadjar was unhurt within the shunt.

The imagery revealed Hadjar’s RB22 was lacking its rear wing – however, having accomplished two days of testing already, Purple Bull is just not as badly compromised as it’d in any other case be, and has loads of time to restore the automobile if spares can be found.

It’s understood that Cadillac, Audi, Racing Bulls and Alpine had deliberate to take a seat Tuesday out if the climate proved as unaccommodating as anticipated, and in any case the opening day of working left them with loads of “debugging” to do, within the phrases of returning driver Valtteri Bottas.

As with Monday there was no official timing, though a number of sources have been capable of entry lap occasions unofficially. Unsurprisingly, they have been largely slower than Monday given the circumstances, Verstappen peaking at 1m19.578s and Leclerc at 1m20.578s within the dry – nevertheless it have to be emphasised that not solely are these occasions not official, however the groups are additionally but to embark on any severe efficiency working.

Leclerc reportedly accomplished 64 laps regardless of the morning’s disruption, Verstappen 27. Hamilton ran 56 laps whereas Hadjar managed 51 earlier than his shunt. That makes this a comparatively profitable day for Ferrari given the circumstances, barely much less so for Purple Bull given what number of laps it completed on Monday.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Photograph by: Ferrari

At its livery launch final week McLaren made clear it was pushing to have a comparatively mature automobile specification which it could take by means of to the opening races, dictating a later arrival on the shakedown. It stated it could run no sooner than Tuesday, and would possible push to Wednesday if the climate proved inclement.

The crew is thought to have arrived on the monitor and is making ready to run on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Due to this fact solely Aston Martin’s standing stays unknown, since Williams confirmed final week its automobile wouldn’t be prepared in time for the shakedown. It’s not anticipated till Thursday on the earliest, having admitted it could not arrive in time to finish all three of its allotted days.

Images from Barcelona shakedown

Franco Colapinto, Alpine