F1 star given return date after injury forces late driver change at Dutch Grand Prix

F1 News & Gossip

F1 star given return date after injury forces late driver change at Dutch Grand Prix

There's no chance of losing his seat...right?

Chris Deeley

Sunday 23 August 2026 11:59

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Liam Lawson has returned to Red Bull temporarily this weekend, but his pseudo-promotion at the Dutch Grand Prix looks like it might be short-lived according to fresh reports about the health of Isack Hadjar.

The New Zealander is filling in for Hadjar after the second-year driver injured his wrist over the summer break, but reports over the weekend suggest that Lawson will be bumped back down to Racing Bulls for the next race of the season, with Yuki Tsunoda's return to the grid in Lawson's spot lasting just one race.

Sky Sports report that Hadjar suffered a 'small crack' in a bone in his wrist while working out last week, leading to the decision to have him sit out of this weekend's full-on sprint weekend festivities.

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However, he's 'hopeful' of being ready to go for the Italian Grand Prix in a fortnight's time at the iconic, high-octane Monza circuit.

QUALIFYING RESULTS: Dutch Grand Prix times and grid positions from Zandvoort

Red Bull boss: No risks with Hadjar's wrist

Laurent Mekies confirmed to Sky Germany on Friday that the team is hoping to get Hadjar back in the car in Italy, suggesting that holding him out of Zandvoort is more precautionary than an absolute necessity.

"He will be here later," the Red Bull team principal said, "but he won't be racing. He had a very good first half of the season. But we don't want to take any risks, so he's taking a break from this race."

Pushed on whether the Dutch Grand Prix would be the only race Hadjar misses, he added: "It's too early to talk about that. But our goal is for him to be back in the cockpit at the next race in Monza."

Lawson has filled in competently for the French driver in the early running this weekend, giving up just a few tenths of a second to Max Verstappen in sprint qualifying despite the unfamiliar car, before struggling to advance in the sprint race due largely to the dearth of overtaking opportunities around Zandvoort.

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F1 Red Bull Liam Lawson Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls