Wrist injury forces Red Bull reshuffle as Tsunoda returns to Racing Bulls.
Isack Hadjar will sit out this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix after picking up a wrist injury during the summer break. Red Bull confirmed the Frenchman cannot race at Zandvoort, handing Liam Lawson a sudden promotion to partner Max Verstappen.
The injury happened in training. Multiple reports link it to boxing drills, with one source saying Hadjar fractured his wrist punching a sandbag. The team has not released further medical details. Hadjar currently sits eighth in the drivers’ standings on 68 points after a strong run of seven consecutive points finishes.
Lawson gets another shot alongside Verstappen
Lawson steps up from Racing Bulls for the sprint weekend. The New Zealander previously raced for Red Bull at the start of 2025 before a quick demotion after two underwhelming weekends. He has rebuilt well this season, scoring 43 points and sitting ninth overall.
This marks Lawson’s third race start for the senior team. It also brings him full circle at Zandvoort, the same circuit where he made his Formula 1 debut in 2023 as a late replacement for the injured Daniel Ricciardo.
Red Bull said in a statement: “Hadjar has sustained a wrist injury during summer shutdown that will prevent him from racing at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. We will be welcoming back 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.”
Tsunoda returns to the grid
Yuki Tsunoda fills Lawson’s vacant seat at Racing Bulls. The Japanese driver partners rookie Arvid Lindblad. Tsunoda lost his full-time Red Bull drive at the end of last season and has served as reserve for both Red Bull squads in 2026.
Racing Bulls added: “We thank both Liam and Yuki for their adaptability as the teams prepare for the weekend and we wish Isack a speedy recovery.”
What it means for Zandvoort
Hadjar’s absence is a blow for the young Frenchman. Zandvoort delivered his only career podium last year while driving for the junior team. He now has two weeks to recover before the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
The Dutch Grand Prix is the final race at the beachside circuit before it drops from the calendar. Verstappen races in front of his home crowd with a temporary teammate once again.
Lawson will look to prove he belongs higher up the order. Tsunoda gets a rare chance to show what he can still do on the grid. Hadjar focuses on healing.
AI Disclosure: This article was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools and was reviewed and edited by the Glowls News editorial team before publication.