Red Bull injury triggers Dutch GP grid shake-up as Sainz commits to Williams

Isack Hadjar will miss the Dutch Grand Prix with a wrist injury, forcing Red Bull to recall Liam Lawson and hand Yuki Tsunoda his first 2026 race outing. Carlos Sainz has ended speculation over his future by signing a new multi-year Williams deal, while McLaren is set to run further upgrades at Zandvoort.

Why it matters:

These moves touch every corner of the grid at a pivotal point in the 2026 season. Sainz's decision locks in a key piece of the driver market and gives Williams stability after persistent Audi rumors. At Red Bull, the sudden swap means two drivers will race machinery they have yet to drive in anger this season, adding volatility to a weekend already defined by sweeping new regulations.

The details:

• Red Bull shake-up: Isack Hadjar suffered a wrist injury that rules him out of Zandvoort. Liam Lawson steps back up to the senior Red Bull seat, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda makes his first 2026 grid appearance and will drive the all-new machinery on track for the first time.
• Sainz stays put: Carlos Sainz has signed a multi-year extension with Williams, shutting down links to Audi and confirming his immediate future at Grove.
• Monaco appeal: The International Court of Appeal will convene in Paris later this month to hear Red Bull and McLaren's counter-appeal against Pierre Gasly's overturned Monaco penalty.
• McLaren upgrades: The team is bringing a new rear wing and rear-end updates to effectively complete the package introduced in Hungary.

What's next:

Zandvoort becomes a critical audition for Lawson and Tsunoda as they adapt to the 2026 machinery in race conditions. McLaren will hope its latest upgrades build on its Budapest form, while the looming Monaco appeal verdict could yet reshape the championship standings from two months ago.