Davidson: Hadjar's form is Lawson's 'biggest problem' in Red Bull return

Liam Lawson faces an almost impossible task this weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix, where he will stand in for the injured Isack Hadjar at Red Bull. Former F1 driver Anthony Davidson argues that no matter how Lawson performs, his biggest challenge is the benchmark Hadjar has already set during his time with the team.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's second seat has become one of the most scrutinized positions in Formula 1. While Hadjar has delivered consistent point-scoring performances alongside Max Verstappen, Lawson's previous opportunity with the team ended in disaster after just two rounds in 2025. The contrast between their contributions leaves Lawson with little room to prove he belongs in the senior team.

The details:

• Lawson replaces Hadjar at Zandvoort after the Frenchman sustained an injury, prompting a shuffle that sees Yuki Tsunoda fill the New Zealander's seat at Racing Bulls.
• Davidson emphasized that Hadjar's consistent point-scoring displays are exactly what Milton Keynes needed, making Lawson's task of impressing the team extremely difficult.
• The former F1 driver noted that Lawson "can do whatever he wants" this weekend, but he cannot undo Hadjar's body of work over the course of the season.
• Reports suggest Hadjar is targeting a return at the Italian Grand Prix, meaning Lawson's opportunity could last just a single race.

What's next:

Rather than viewing Zandvoort as a genuine audition for a permanent Red Bull seat, Davidson framed the weekend as a chance for personal redemption. With Hadjar expected to be back at Monza, Lawson's primary objective is likely extracting satisfaction from a clean, competitive drive rather than convincing the team's hierarchy of his long-term potential.