Isack Hadjar to miss Dutch Grand Prix with wrist injury

Red Bull's Isack Hadjar is expected to sit out the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend after sustaining a wrist injury during the summer break. The Frenchman's absence is poised to trigger a driver shuffle across Red Bull's two Formula 1 teams, with Liam Lawson set to make a surprise return to the senior squad and Yuki Tsunoda stepping back into a Racing Bulls race seat.

Why it matters:

Hadjar has been a solid performer in his first season with Red Bull, scoring 68 points in 11 races and finishing fourth in Monaco. Losing him at Zandvoort—a circuit where he claimed his maiden podium last year—disrupts the team's momentum and bench strength at a critical point in the 2026 campaign. The shake-up also marks a significant moment for Lawson, who was dropped from Red Bull just two races into the 2025 season. His temporary promotion gives the New Zealander a sudden chance to prove himself against Max Verstappen and potentially reshape his F1 trajectory.

The details:

• Hadjar is understood to have suffered the wrist injury during the F1 summer break, forcing him to miss the race at Zandvoort. He had recorded top-10 finishes in all but three races this season and has generally kept pace with Verstappen throughout the 2026 season.
• Liam Lawson, currently Racing Bulls' standout performer with points in eight of eleven races, is expected to fill Hadjar's seat at Red Bull. It would be his first appearance for the senior team since his abrupt demotion in early 2025, when Tsunoda replaced him for the remainder of that season.
• Tsunoda, who has spent 2026 as a reserve driver for both Red Bull-backed squads after losing his full-time seat, is tipped to return to Racing Bulls for the Dutch GP weekend. The Japanese driver made 92 appearances for the Faenza outfit between 2021 and early 2025 before his own Red Bull stint.
• Racing Bulls currently sits fifth in the constructors' standings, with Lawson's consistent scoring playing a key role in that position.

What's next:

• All eyes will be on how quickly Lawson can readjust to the senior Red Bull machinery after 18 months away, and whether Tsunoda can instantly rediscover his race rhythm at Racing Bulls.
• For Hadjar, the focus will shift to recovery and ensuring he is fit to return for the next round. With several drivers facing uncertain contract situations beyond 2026, any prolonged absence could inadvertently open the door for others to stake a claim on his seat.