Liam Lawson steps up to Red Bull, Yuki Tsunoda returns to Racing Bulls for Dutch GP

Red Bull has confirmed a late driver reshuffle for the Dutch Grand Prix, promoting Liam Lawson to Red Bull Racing to cover for Isack Hadjar's wrist injury while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda returns to the grid at Racing Bulls. Hadjar sustained the injury during summer shutdown and will miss the Zandvoort weekend, leaving both teams to finalize their lineups at short notice. Lawson now gets an unexpected second opportunity in senior machinery, while Tsunoda slots straight back into race action.

Why it matters:

Lawson's previous Red Bull stint in early 2025 lasted just two races before he was demoted, making this a critical second shot at the senior team. For Tsunoda, the Racing Bulls return offers an immediate route back to the grid after serving as reserve through 2026. The reshuffle tests Red Bull's driver depth at a vital stage of the season, with both drivers under pressure to produce results that strengthen their standing within the programme.

The details:

• Isack Hadjar has been ruled out of the Dutch GP after suffering a wrist injury during the summer break, with Red Bull confirming Lawson will pilot the RB22 alongside Max Verstappen.
• Lawson has prior experience of deputizing at Zandvoort, having made his F1 debut there in 2023 when he replaced the injured Daniel Ricciardo at the Faenza-based squad.
• Within Racing Bulls, Lawson has established himself as the lead driver this season, outpacing rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad by 20 points in the standings at the halfway mark.
• Tsunoda raced for Red Bull through the latter half of 2025 but has spent this season as reserve, and will now partner Lindblad as Lawson vacates the second Racing Bulls seat.

What's next:

Lawson faces the daunting task of adapting to the RB22 with minimal preparation time and matching Verstappen's pace, knowing his long-term prospects could hinge on this weekend's performance. Hadjar's recovery timeline remains unclear, meaning Lawson could retain the seat for multiple rounds if he impresses. Tsunoda will be equally eager to make his case for a more permanent race seat should any further openings emerge across the Red Bull stable later in the year.