Red Bull confirm Liam Lawson to drive for team at Dutch Grand Prix after Isack Hadjar ruled out with injury

Liam Lawson will drive for Red Bull at this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix after Isack Hadjar was ruled out with a wrist injury.

The Milton Keynes-based Red Bull Racing team confirmed Hadjar suffered a wrist injury during F1’s summer break and has not recovered in time for the race at Zandvoort this weekend, with the Frenchman sitting out proceedings.

Lawson will therefore be promoted from Red Bull’s junior team Racing Bulls for the race, while former Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda will deputise for Lawson at Racing Bulls and partner Arvid Lindblad at Red Bull’s second team.

Red Bull confirmed the news in a statement on social media. They said, “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.

“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.”

The move sees Lawson return to Red Bull after he was dropped by the team after only 2 races at the start of the 2025 season. The 24-year-old New Zealand national was initially chosen by the team to replace Sergio Perez, but was swapped with Tsunoda after the opening two rounds of the season after struggling in Red Bull’s senior team.

Lawson has scored 43 points so far in the 2026 season, in the process scoring more than he managed in 2025. He currently sits 9th in the Driver’s Championship, making him the highest point scorer among drivers not racing for Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull.

The move also sees Tsunoda return to F1 for the first time since being dropped by Red Bull at the end of the 2025 season. After 4 years driving for Racing Bulls, the Japanese driver was given his chance at Red Bull’s senior team after Lawson was dropped, but he struggled at Red Bull, scoring just 30 points for the senior team.

It is as yet unconfirmed if Hadjar will be back in time for F1’s next race, which will be the Italian Grand Prix on 6 September.