Isack Hadjar remains confident that he will be back behind the wheel for the upcoming Formula 1 round after a wrist injury forced him to sit out the Dutch Grand Prix weekend. The 24‑year‑old French driver fractured a small portion of a bone in his wrist while taking part in a boxing session during the summer break earlier this month.
Medical assessments conducted by Red Bull’s health team concluded that it would be safest for him to miss the sprint events at Zandvoort, giving the fracture a few extra days to heal before the next race at Monza. In Hadjar’s absence, Liam Lawson steps into the Red Bull‑affiliated Racing Bulls car, becoming the first driver to re‑appear for the Red Bull stable after being let go by the senior team last season. Lawson’s promotion creates a domino effect: Yuki Tsunoda, who has been waiting on the sidelines, will fill Lawson’s former seat at Racing Bulls, partnering full‑time driver Arvid Lindblad for the remainder of the campaign. Hadjar travelled to Zandvoort this weekend not to race but to support his teammate Lawson.
He said he is feeling optimistic about a return at the Italian Grand Prix, scheduled for 4‑6 September at Monza, and hopes the recovery period will be swift enough to see him back in the cockpit. "I’ve been working closely with the medical staff and they’re confident the crack will mend quickly," Hadjar told Sky Sports News. "I’m looking forward to getting back on track and contributing to the team’s fight for points." Lawson, who was dropped by Red Bull after two under‑whelming outings in the previous year, has managed to impress during the latter part of the 2025 season with Racing Bulls, earning a full‑season contract for 2026. The New Zealander has emerged as a midfield contender, chalking up eight points‑scoring finishes and sitting ninth in the drivers’ standings – ahead of all but the Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull line‑ups.
"Since being given another chance, I’ve felt a lot more comfortable and confident in the car," Lawson explained. "This weekend is a sprint format, so the learning curve is steep, but we’ve been putting in a lot of work in the simulator to accelerate that process." Meanwhile, Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda, who has been watching the action from the pit lane all season, sees a potential pathway back onto a full‑time grid seat for 2027. His prospects are uncertain given the recent contract extensions of Max Verstappen at Red Bull and the renewed deals for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari and Alex Albon at Williams. Tsunoda revealed he was on holiday in Greece when he received a call on Tuesday asking him to step in for the Dutch sprint.
"I was half excited and half nervous – anything can happen in this sport – but I was thrilled to get the opportunity," he said. "I’ve done a few test sessions in the previous car, and even though this will be my first time in the Racing Bulls machine, I feel ready and eager to give it my all." Tsunoda added that his immediate focus is to enjoy the experience and deliver a solid performance, regardless of the outcome. "My goal this weekend is simply to have fun and push the car to its limits.
I’ve been waiting for a chance like this for a long time, and I intend to make the most of it," he affirmed. The Dutch Grand Prix weekend features a packed schedule. On Saturday, August 22, the day begins with an F1 Academy qualifying session at 8:15 am, followed by build‑up coverage for the sprint at 10:00 am. The sprint itself kicks off at 11:00 am, with the Academy race later in the afternoon and the main qualifying session at 3:00 pm.
The day concludes with a Porsche Supercup race at 5:00 pm. Sunday, August 23, continues with the second Academy race, another Porsche Supercup round, and the full Grand Prix programme, culminating in the chequered flag at around 4:00 pm. All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through the NOW platform without a long‑term contract.
Hadjar’s situation underscores the physical risks that drivers face even outside of racing, and the swift response from the team’s medical personnel highlights the sport’s emphasis on driver safety. If his wrist heals as expected, fans can look forward to seeing him back at Monza, where the high‑speed straights and historic chicanes provide a classic test of skill and bravery. Until then, Lawson and Tsunoda will carry the Racing Bulls banner forward, each hoping to turn their temporary opportunities into lasting success on the Formula 1 grid.