Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar is set to miss the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix after sustaining a wrist injury during training. As a result, Liam Lawson will step in as his replacement for the race, according to an announcement on Wednesday.
Lawson, a 24-year-old New Zealander, typically races for Racing Bulls, which serves as Red Bull’s sister team for developing young drivers. This one-race promotion marks a temporary return to the Red Bull setup for Lawson, who previously made his Formula 1 debut at Zandvoort in 2023 when he replaced Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri due to a broken wrist.
Red Bull issued a statement wishing Hadjar a swift recovery and expressing gratitude to Lawson for stepping in on short notice. Hadjar, who is 21 years old, is currently eighth in the drivers’ standings with 68 points. He was announced in December last year as the replacement for Yuki Tsunoda for the 2026 season.
Driver Changes for the Dutch Grand Prix
With Lawson moving to Red Bull, former Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda, 26, will fill Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls. Tsunoda will race alongside British-Swedish rookie Arvid Lindblad. Tsunoda had lost his full-time drive at the end of last season and was reassigned as a test and reserve driver for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls.
Racing Bulls also released a statement, thanking both Lawson and Tsunoda for their adaptability as the teams prepare for the weekend and wishing Hadjar a quick recovery. The Dutch Grand Prix is the 12th round of the Formula 1 season. The Italian Grand Prix at Monza is scheduled two weeks after the Dutch event.
Lawson’s Opportunity
Lawson’s unexpected outing for Red Bull Racing at Zandvoort is seen as an opportunity without significant pressure. He has not previously driven the Red Bull RB22 and has been called upon at short notice, facing the challenge of driving alongside Max Verstappen. Given these circumstances, any negative results are considered a baseline, while any achievements could enhance his reputation.
This situation presents an ideal mindset for Lawson, as he is unburdened by high expectations. This could allow him to focus on the process of racing rather than solely on the results. This focus may enable him to achieve something notable under the circumstances.
Lawson has impressed with Racing Bulls this season, demonstrating consistent performance. He has built on momentum from last season, particularly after steering changes were made to suit his preferences, and has adapted well to the new power units. This opportunity is less about securing a permanent return to Red Bull Racing and more about reinforcing his position for a seat at Racing Bulls next year, or elsewhere in Formula 1’s midfield.
The stakes are high, and his lack of familiarity with the car will make it challenging for Lawson to maintain a process-focused mindset. However, this is part of a professional sportsperson’s role. Observers are encouraged to be realistic about what constitutes a good performance as a stand-in, recognising that this weekend presents potential upside with minimal downside for Lawson.
Hadjar’s injury is understood to be a wrist fracture, sustained during boxing drills that involved punching a sandbag as part of his training regimen during the summer break. He is expected to have two weeks to recover before the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, scheduled from September 4-6.
The 21-year-old Hadjar has had a relatively strong first campaign for Red Bull, having been promoted after an impressive rookie season with Racing Bulls. He is expected to remain Verstappen’s teammate next year. With 11 of 23 scheduled rounds completed, Hadjar is eighth in the drivers’ standings, 41 points behind Verstappen, who is sixth.
Lawson’s return to Red Bull follows his previous departure from the team just two races into the 2025 season, despite being named as Sergio Perez’s replacement during the off-season. Lawson was swapped with Tsunoda, who then spent the remainder of 2025 as Verstappen’s teammate. The Formula 1 season resumes with a Sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Source: rnz.co.nz
