Explained: How Isack Hadjar sustained the wrist injury keeping him out of the Dutch GP

Isack Hadjar will not line up on the grid for this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix after sustaining a wrist injury that has forced him to withdraw from the Zandvoort round. Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater has since offered a clearer assessment of both the incident itself and the severity of the damage, confirming the Frenchman is stepping aside on medical advice.

Why it matters:

Missing a race at Zandvoort is a costly blow for Hadjar, who is navigating a pivotal stretch of the 2026 season. The tight, high-load circuit rewards consistent precision and strong physical conditioning, meaning any substitute faces a steep learning curve while the team risks losing valuable data in a compressed midfield battle.

The details:

• Slater reports that Hadjar suffered significant trauma to his wrist during an incident that has left him unable to generate the sustained grip strength required to pilot an F1 car through the banked corners and high-G sections of the Dutch circuit.
• Medical evaluations revealed that competing this weekend would risk aggravating the injury further, potentially turning a manageable setback into a longer-term absence.
• Team doctors and external specialists have advised complete rest, prioritizing recovery over any attempt to push through the discomfort over a full race distance.
• The team is now expected to field a reserve driver in Hadjar's place, though an official confirmation regarding the replacement is still pending ahead of first practice.

What's next:

Hadjar will now begin an intensive rehabilitation program with the goal of returning for the next round on the calendar. The team is expected to err on the side of caution, prioritizing full wrist mobility and strength over a rushed comeback that could jeopardize his availability for multiple upcoming races.