Lawson to Continue for Red Bull in Madrid as Hadjar Remains Injured

Liam Lawson will line up alongside Max Verstappen for Red Bull at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, as Isack Hadjar continues his recovery from a fractured wrist. The injury, sustained during a boxing workout in the summer break, has now ruled Hadjar out of three races, with Lawson stepping in for the third time.

Why it matters:

This is another crucial opportunity for Lawson, who was dropped by Red Bull early in 2025 before being recalled. With Hadjar's return imminent and Yuki Tsunoda impressing at Racing Bulls, every lap Lawson completes in the senior car could influence Red Bull's 2027 lineup.

The details:

• Hadjar's recovery is progressing well, but he is not yet fit to drive. He will attend the Madrid weekend to support the team.
• Lawson's form has been mixed. At Zandvoort, he qualified just 0.1s behind Verstappen and finished seventh. At Monza, he was eliminated in Q2, started from the pit lane due to engine penalties, and made contact with Nico Hulkenberg at a restart, forcing a front-wing change. He recovered to 14th while Verstappen reached the podium.
• Tsunoda, who lost his Red Bull seat last season, has been consistently close to Racing Bulls team-mate Arvid Lindblad and scored points in Italy. He remains optimistic about a 2027 return: "I'm free! Would love to hear those calls, but not yet."

What's next:

The Spanish GP is the first F1 race at the new Madring circuit, adding an element of unpredictability. Lawson will be eager to deliver a clean weekend, while Hadjar's return is expected in the coming races. Red Bull's driver decisions are shaping up to be one of the season's biggest storylines.