Lawson replaces injured Hadjar at Red Bull as Tsunoda returns to Racing Bulls

Red Bull has confirmed a late driver shuffle for this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix, with Liam Lawson moving up to replace the injured Isack Hadjar on the senior team. The change sets off a chain reaction that sees Yuki Tsunoda come out of reserve duty to make a one-off return with Racing Bulls at Zandvoort.

Why it matters:

Lawson heads back to the very circuit where he made his surprise F1 debut three years ago, filling in for an injured Daniel Ricciardo. Meanwhile, Tsunoda gets an unexpected chance to prove his worth in a race seat again just as speculation mounts over a possible 2027 move to IndyCar, giving Red Bull plenty to manage as the season resumes.

The details:

• Hadjar suffered a significant wrist injury during the summer break and will miss the Dutch GP, the same track where he claimed his maiden podium last season.
• This will be Lawson's third start for Red Bull and his first since being dropped from the seat after just two rounds in 2025. He rebuilt his standing with seven points finishes for Racing Bulls and currently sits ninth in the 2026 drivers' standings on 43 points.
• Tsunoda, who lost his full-time race seat at the end of 2025, will make his 90th appearance for the junior squad. His return comes amid reports linking him to a Meyer Shank Honda IndyCar drive for 2027.
• Red Bull has not confirmed whether Hadjar will also sit out the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, though the extended two-week gap between Zandvoort and Monza offers extra time to recover.

What's next:

Lawson will need to get up to speed immediately with the senior Red Bull car at a track he knows well, while Tsunoda will be out to remind everyone why he earned that 90th start. If Hadjar needs more time away, Red Bull may have to decide whether to extend this arrangement or look elsewhere, though Lawson's solid form in the 2026-spec machinery makes him the obvious choice.