Formula 1 is known for its high-speed drama, but sometimes it’s the off-track antics that steal the show. From missing steering wheels to unexpected snowfall, pre-season testing has seen its fair share of bizarre moments.
Let’s take a look back at some incidents that left F1 fans and teams scratching their heads.
1. McLaren’s Missing Steering Wheel (2005)
Ever misplaced your keys? Imagine misplacing your Formula 1 car’s steering wheel! That’s what happened to McLaren’s test driver Pedro de la Rosa during pre-season testing in 2005. Rumor has it that he accidentally left it in a taxi, leaving the team scrambling to recover it before anyone got wind of their top-secret technology.
That must’ve been an awkward conversation “Guys, you won’t believe what happened to me today, actually… I kind of.. lost my steering wheel.” Yeah, definitely not a conversation I would be part of.
2. Red Bull’s Covered Car (2015)
Red Bull Racing caused a stir in 2015 by unveiling a camouflaged car during pre-season testing. The secretive livery sparked speculation about the design of their new car, and it had the other teams and the fans thinking the Bulls were trying to hide something.
It turns out, the only thing they were hiding was a clever marketing stunt!
3. Fernando Alonso’s Strange Crash (2015)
During pre-season testing in 2015, Fernando Alonso crashed his McLaren Honda, resulting in a trip to the hospital.
What made the crash particularly mysterious was the lack of a clear explanation for what caused it. Alonso himself couldn’t remember the crash and was initially unsure of what had happened. McLaren initially stated that it was due to a sudden gust of wind or a steering problem, but the exact cause was never conclusively determined.
4. Snow in Barcelona (2018)
Formula 1 is no stranger to extreme weather conditions, but even the hardiest of drivers were surprised when snow descended on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya during pre-season testing in 2018. The unexpected snowfall disrupted the test schedule and added an unusual challenge for the teams and drivers.
Snow tires, anyone?
5. Fernando Alonso’s Sandcastle (2018)
When life gives you lemons, build a sandcastle. That seemed to be Fernando Alonso’s motto during a break in pre-season testing in 2018 when he was spotted hard at work on a sandcastle at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Who knew that the two-time world champion also had a talent for sculpting sandy masterpieces?
6. Williams F1 Team’s Late Arrival (2019)
In a move that left everyone wondering if they had hit the snooze button one too many times, the Williams F1 team missed the first two days of pre-season testing in 2019. The delay was blamed on their car not being ready in time, prompting jokes that they were still waiting for it to pass its driving test.
These incidents show that while Formula 1 is a serious sport, there’s always room for some offbeat moments during pre-season testing. Whether it’s a secret livery design or a sandcastle made by a world champion, these events add a touch of unpredictability and humor to the world of Formula 1.