Zandvoort: Isack Hadjar to miss Dutch Grand Prix with wrist injury
Hadjar sidelined for Dutch Grand Prix
Isack Hadjar will not compete in this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix after sustaining a wrist injury during the summer break. The Red Bull driver’s absence means Liam Lawson will step up from Racing Bulls to replace him in the RB22 car for the event at Circuit Zandvoort. This marks an unexpected return to Red Bull Racing for Lawson, who previously had a stint with the team at the beginning of the 2025 season.
Reports indicate that Hadjar, a French driver, broke his wrist while boxing. He currently sits eighth in the standings and had been on a run of seven consecutive Grands Prix finishing in the points. Red Bull confirmed Hadjar’s injury and thanked Lawson for stepping in on short notice, also wishing Hadjar a speedy recovery.
Lawson’s temporary promotion creates a vacancy at Racing Bulls, which will be filled by Yuki Tsunoda. Tsunoda, a Japanese driver, previously raced for Red Bull but was demoted to a test and reserve driver role for both outfits at the end of last season. He will partner rookie Arvid Lindblad at Racing Bulls for the upcoming race.
Lawson’s opportunity and past performance
Lawson’s return to Red Bull Racing is seen as a significant opportunity, particularly after a challenging start to the 2025 season. He was initially scheduled to race alongside Max Verstappen for the entirety of 2025 but was demoted to Racing Bulls after the first two Grands Prix due to what were described as “lacklustre performances.”
This unexpected outing at Zandvoort is considered a “free hit” for Lawson. He has not previously driven the Red Bull RB22 and has been called upon at short notice. Competing against a driver like Max Verstappen in a car that is not easy to drive sets a baseline where failure in terms of results is expected. Any positive outcome would therefore enhance his reputation.
The situation offers Lawson an ideal mindset, as he is unburdened by high expectations, which could allow him to focus on the process rather than solely on results. This approach could enable him to achieve something notable given the circumstances. However, this depends on Red Bull providing him with the necessary support and confidence, which some suggest was not fully present during his previous promotion in 2025.
During his time with Racing Bulls this year, Lawson has impressed with consistent performances. He has built momentum since last season, particularly after steering changes were made to suit his driving style, and has adapted well to the challenges posed by new power units. His current form has established him as a strong midfield driver, often referred to as the “best of the rest” in terms of points scored.
Despite his strong performances, Lawson’s position for 2027 is reportedly under pressure due to the continuous flow of drivers through the Red Bull system, including the need to find a place for Formula 2 championship leader Nikola Tsolov. This weekend’s race is therefore an important chance for Lawson to demonstrate his improvements as an F1 driver.
Red Bull’s season and Verstappen’s home race
Red Bull has experienced a difficult first half of the 2026 season. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has yet to secure a race win this year. His best results so far include second-place finishes in the Austrian and Hungarian Grands Prix.
Verstappen finished the 2025 season just two points behind world champion Lando Norris of McLaren, following an impressive revival in the latter half of the season where he gained over 100 points on the championship leader. This weekend’s event at Zandvoort will be Verstappen’s final home grand prix, as the seaside town’s event is set to be removed from the calendar after this season due to financial viability issues for the organisers.
Racing Bulls also commented on the changes, thanking both Lawson and Tsunoda for their adaptability as the teams prepare for the weekend, and reiterated their wishes for Hadjar’s swift recovery from his wrist injury.
Source: bbc.com