Mekies casts Liam Lawson Red Bull verdict after Dutch GP return

Liam Lawson made the most of a surprise return to Red Bull Racing at the Dutch Grand Prix, stepping in for the injured Isack Hadjar and delivering a solid points finish. Team principal Laurent Mekies was quick to praise the New Zealander's performance.

Why it matters:

Lawson's weekend at Zandvoort was a rare second chance to prove himself alongside Max Verstappen, after being dropped back to Racing Bulls in early 2025. With his future beyond this season still unclear, a strong showing strengthens his case for a full-time seat.

The details:

• Lawson qualified just 0.115s behind Verstappen, lining up eighth on the grid.
• He finished seventh, scoring his first points as a Red Bull Racing driver.
• Mekies: "He's done a good job stepping into the car. It's never easy to step into a different team, a different car for a race like that."
• Hadjar was present with the team despite his wrist injury, focusing on learning ahead of a potential return at Monza.

What's next:

Lawson admitted he had been preparing for a Racing Bulls weekend before the call came. His future remains uncertain, with Red Bull typically deciding its line-ups later in the season. Hadjar could be back in the car for the Italian Grand Prix, but Lawson's performance has certainly given the team something to think about.