Posted on 08/19/2026 6:31:34 AM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701
Red Bull confirmed the driver change on Wednesday following earlier reports that Isack Hadjar would be unable to compete at Zandvoort, with Lawson stepping up from Racing Bulls to partner Max Verstappen.
Both Red Bull and Racing Bulls announced the reshuffle through brief statements, with Yuki Tsunoda returning to the sister team to fill Lawson’s vacant seat alongside Arvid Lindblad.
Red Bull confirmed Hadjar sustained the injury during Formula 1’s summer shutdown, although it provided no further details on how it occurred or the extent of the damage.
“Oracle Red Bull Racing driver, Isack Hadjar, has sustained a wrist injury during summer shutdown that will prevent him from racing at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix,” the team said.
“We will be welcoming back Liam Lawson who will replace him in RB22 this weekend.
“The Team wishes Isack a speedy recovery and thanks Liam for stepping in on short notice.”
Racing Bulls followed by confirming Tsunoda would step into Lawson’s car at Zandvoort.
“Visa Cash App Racing Bulls can confirm that Liam Lawson will race for Oracle Red Bull Racing at the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend due to Isack Hadjar’s wrist injury,” Racing Bulls said.
“As a result of the driver change, Reserve Driver Yuki Tsunoda, will race for Racing Bulls in Zandvoort this weekend, alongside Arvid Lindblad.
“We thank both Liam and Yuki for their adaptability as the teams prepare for the weekend and we wish Isack a speedy recovery.”
BBC Sport had earlier reported Hadjar was understood to have suffered the injury while boxing during the break, while Dutch publication De Telegraaf initially reported the Frenchman had been hurt during a gym session.
Neither detail was addressed by Red Bull when confirming Hadjar would miss the weekend.
Lawson’s return represents another dramatic twist in his Red Bull career, less than 18 months after he was dropped from the senior team following just two races.
The New Zealander earned promotion to Red Bull ahead of the 2025 season and was initially expected to spend the year alongside Verstappen.
However, difficult outings across the opening two rounds resulted in Lawson being sent back to Racing Bulls, with Tsunoda promoted in his place for the remainder of the campaign.
Hadjar subsequently replaced Tsunoda at Red Bull for 2026, while the Japanese driver moved into a reserve role.
Zandvoort also holds particular significance in Lawson’s F1 career, having been the scene of his grand prix debut in 2023.
In an ironic parallel, Lawson was called up to replace Daniel Ricciardo, who was forced to withdraw with a wrist injury after crashing during practice, with the New Zealander stepping into the then-AlphaTauri at short notice.
He remained in the car for five races while Ricciardo recovered, a run that helped strengthen his case for a permanent place on the F1 grid.
The recall comes during a strong season for Lawson, who sits ninth in the drivers’ championship after rebuilding his standing with Racing Bulls following last year’s brief Red Bull stint.
Red Bull has not indicated how long Hadjar will be sidelined or whether he is expected to return for the following round at Monza.
Too bad for Hadjar. Decent driver. I will be rooting for Kimi Antonelli this weekend
Red Bull has gone down the crapper since Newey left...
I will be in DC this weekend for the Freedom 250!!!
Kimi, what can you say….. how about poor George, your time came and went in a blink of an eye.
George got “Danny Ric’d”. Riccardo lived in Vettel’s shadow for a long time and when Seb finally went to Ferrari it seemed like Danny’s time to shine. Only for Seb to be replaced by Max who was/is MUCH better, so Danny Ric never got his time to shine.
George lived in Lewis’ shadow, then when Lewis goes to Ferrari, it’s his time, only the team brings in a kid who’s MUCH faster.
I loves me some Kimi ever since I saw that episode of Drive to Survive and his mom was driving him to his Driver’s test to legally drive on Italian roads...he already had his F-1 license....what a hoot. Great for the kid. A steely eyed speed demon. I like his father and mother keep him in line. Hopefully with a whack to the head if he gets outta line and full of himself as kids are want to do.
As for poor George—well nothing in life is guaranteed—but frankly, when things are even, at least this year, I think Kimi outdrives George. There was that race (Canada?) where the two were battling it out before George had mechanical issues and bailed out. That would have been a good race to see who was the Driver...too bad it ended in a DNF for George.
Aw, come on….rooting for Kimi is easy. I think it’s more laborious to go with Yuki. LOL.
Yeah, its easy rooting for Kimi, but not last year..and Yuki? How many cars will he run into this weekend? Wildman of the Raceway...
There aren’t too many cars around Yuki. Unless, its 35 laps in…and he is on lap 33.
I will be looking forward to this weekends race. Recently a F-1 fan. Never was a race watcher, but frankly, after seeing the movie F-1, it piqued my interest and then I saw Drive to Survive and I was hooked. So, an old man new to the sport by catching up quickly. Am enjoying immensely.
Thankfully, the cars have been reworked to lessen crash impacts. Heck Berman walked away from a 50G crash earlier this season with nothing more than a wobbly knee. Yesteryear, the cars were little more than rolling bombs. As for having Hybrid cars...Less fuel, no need to refuel during race and less chance for re-fueling accidents so I think its a good thing overall.
Problems with the power units—yup. But as those problems get ironed out it will hopefully transfer over to consumer cars. I do believe in hybrids as a technology. Own a 2018 Lincoln Hybrid MKZ sedan and love it. 40mpg. Regenerative braking. Cool beans.
VER has renewed for four more years with the Bull. And sponsors aren’t happy with Apple monopoly.
Just read that story this AM...
And more F1 notes:
With two rounds left in F3, New Zealand driver Louis Sharp is leaving Prema F3. Some Australian fans say “the cheque bounced”.
George Russell on pole for Saturday’s sprint race. Lawson (Red Bull) 11th, Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) 12th. Both knocked out by Bortleto in SQ2.
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