Hadjar injury reshuffles Red Bull and Racing Bulls line-ups for Dutch Grand Prix
Liam Lawson returns to the Red Bull seat as Yuki Tsunoda steps into Racing Bulls, with the injured Isack Hadjar targeting a return at Monza.
Red Bull has confirmed a significant driver reshuffle for the Dutch Grand Prix after Isack Hadjar was ruled out with a wrist injury. The Frenchman suffered a small crack in a wrist bone during a training session earlier this month, prompting medical staff to advise him to sit out the Sprint weekend at Zandvoort to allow for recovery.
Liam Lawson will replace Hadjar in the Red Bull car, marking his return to the team after being dropped following two disappointing races last year. Lawson, who has secured eight points finishes this season and currently sits ninth in the Drivers’ Championship, acknowledged the challenge of returning to a car he has not driven recently. He noted that the Sprint format would require a rapid learning process, a focus he has been working on in the simulator.
To accommodate Lawson’s move, Yuki Tsunoda has been called up to take over Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls. The Japanese driver will race alongside Arvid Lindblad for the weekend. Tsunoda, who has been watching from the sidelines this season, revealed he was on holiday in Greece when he received the call on Tuesday. He expressed excitement at the opportunity to compete, noting that his status for the next Grand Prix depends on Hadjar’s recovery progress.
Hadjar remains at the Zandvoort track this weekend to support Lawson. Both the driver and the team are hopeful he will be fit to return for the Italian Grand Prix, scheduled for 4–6 September. The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, and discussions with Red Bull medical staff concluded that missing the Dutch race was necessary to ensure he is ready for the next event.
The Dutch Grand Prix is a Sprint weekend, with practice sessions scheduled for 11.30am on Friday and Sprint Qualifying at 3.30pm. The main race is set for Sunday, with the full schedule broadcast by Sky Sports F1. This driver change adds a layer of complexity to the weekend, as both Lawson and Tsunoda aim to make the most of their temporary roles in the grid.
