Hadjar to miss third straight F1 race

Isack Hadjar will miss a third consecutive Formula 1 race, with Red Bull confirming Liam Lawson will again stand in for the Frenchman at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix — the first ever F1 event at the new Madring street circuit.

Why it matters:

Hadjar's extended absence means Red Bull is running a substitute driver for a third straight weekend, limiting the team's ability to gather consistent data with its regular lineup. For Lawson, it's another high-profile opportunity to prove he deserves a full-time seat, especially after a strong showing at Zandvoort.

The details:

• Lawson deputized for Hadjar at Zandvoort and Monza, finishing seventh in the Netherlands and 14th in Italy after a grid penalty and wing damage.
• Red Bull said Hadjar's recovery is "progressing positively" but he is "not yet ready to return to the cockpit." He will be in Madrid supporting the team.
• Lawson had been preparing for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls cars for Madring, calling the situation "not ideal" because the cars are "so different to drive." He can now focus fully on the RB22.
• Yuki Tsunoda will continue to deputise for Lawson at Racing Bulls.

What's next:

Red Bull says it looks forward to having Hadjar back in the RB22 "very soon." Lawson's performances in the interim could shape the team's future driver decisions, with the 2026 season and the new regulations on the horizon.