This is when Verstappen will drive the Red Bull RB22 for the first time

20:57, 22 Jan

byNicole Mulder

Max Verstappen will make his first outing in Red Bull Racing’s RB22 on the opening day of pre-season testing in Barcelona, GPblog has learned. Isack Hadjar will also complete his first laps in the new F1 car on Monday.

That is the plan for Red Bull, which has chosen Monday as one of its three test days. Plans remain tentative, as the team is closely monitoring the weather forecast.

That applies to all Formula 1 teams, as no one wants to run their 2026 car for the first time on a wet track. A wet day is also expected for Tuesday.

Verstappen in action on the first test day in the Red Bull RB22

If the weather is optimal on Monday, Verstappen will head out on track that very day. The same goes for teammate Hadjar.

It is not yet clear who will take the morning session and who will drive during the afternoon: the four-time world champion will therefore be in action either from 09:00 to 13:00 CET, or from 14:00 to 18:00 CET.

Red Bull will kick off winter testing in Barcelona together with sister team Racing Bulls and Alpine. Some other teams will not run until later, possibly only from day three onward. This is due to the expected rainy conditions on the second day of testing.

Max Verstappen at the Barcelona circuit - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has already indicated that his team would skip the first day of testing and might only run their cars on Wednesday. This would mean McLaren will be on track during the last three test days; each team is allowed to choose three days of the five-day test to run.

It is not yet known when the remaining F1 teams will test their new cars for the first time in Barcelona. GPblog understands that many teams are still keeping their cards close to their chest, mainly to avoid tipping off the competition and to prevent others from benefiting — or copying.

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