Red Bull Racing have confirmed that Isack Hadjar is out of the 2026 F1 Dutch GP because of an injury; Liam Lawson will step up to partner Max Verstappen, with Yuki Tsunoda returning at Racing Bulls.
Following a tough start to the year for the team with a car that was considerably off the pace, things have got better since then. Improvements to the RB22 have allowed the Frenchman to shine, securing seven top 6 finishes in a row before the summer break. He may even get a podium at Monaco if Red Bull and McLaren successfully appeal Gasly’s penalty removal.
Ahead of the F1 2026 season returning this weekend at the Dutch GP in Zandvoort, Isack Hadjar is P8 in the Drivers’ Championship on 68 points.
In an official statement, Red Bull confirmed: “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.”
A re-run of early 2025
At the start of last year, Liam Lawson had been promoted to Red Bull Racing, with Yuki Tsunoda at Racing Bulls. As Hadjar is injured, the New Zealander gets a third Grand Prix weekend at the senior team.
Lawson previously spent two rounds with Red Bull at the beginning of 2025 before being demoted to Racing Bulls. Since then, he has become one of the standout drivers in the midfield and sits as the “best of the rest” in terms of points scored.
Meanwhile, the Japanese driver returns to F1 with the Faenza-based squad once more, and he will partner Arvid Lindblad for this round. It will be his first race under these very different regulations.
Ahead of Tsunoda’s return to his former team, Racing Bulls separately commented: “We thank both Liam and Yuki for their adaptability as the teams prepare for the weekend and we wish Isack a speedy recovery.”
