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 at Zandvoort. The 24‑year‑old French driver fractured a small piece of bone in his wrist while taking part in a boxing session that was part of his summer training programme earlier this month. Medical staff from Red Bull evaluated the situation and, after careful discussion, recommended that he miss the sprint weekend at Zandvoort to give the injury sufficient time to heal before the next race in Italy at Monza.
During his absence, Red Bull has called upon Liam Lawson to fill Hadjar's seat for the Dutch event. Lawson, who was previously dropped by the senior Red Bull team after two lacklustre outings last season, has spent the remainder of the 2025 campaign competing for the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
His performances have been solid enough to earn him a retained drive for the current year, making him the first driver to return to a Red Bull‑affiliated car after being let go. Lawson's promotion creates a ripple effect across the Racing Bulls line‑up. Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese driver who has been waiting on the sidelines, will step into Lawson's vacated seat alongside full‑time teammate Arvid Lindblad. Tsunoda sees this as a crucial opportunity to showcase his talent and potentially secure a permanent place on the grid for the 2027 season, even though the competitive landscape is tightening after Verstappen’s recent contract extension with Red Bull and the re‑signings of Carlos Sainz at Ferrari and Alex Albon at Williams.
Hadjar is still present at Zandvoort this weekend, not as a competitor but as a supporter for Lawson. He has been seen in the paddock, encouraging his teammate and monitoring the progress of the sprint races. The Frenchman hopes that the extra recovery time will allow him to be fit for the Italian Grand Prix, scheduled for 4‑6 September at Monza, one of the fastest circuits on the calendar.
The Dutch Grand Prix itself is a sprint‑format weekend, meaning that drivers have a shortened qualifying session followed by a quick sprint race that determines the grid for the main Grand Prix. Lawson commented on the challenge, noting that the sprint format compresses the learning curve: "It's a Sprint weekend, so it's going to be a quick learning process. We have been focusing on the simulator to accelerate that learning, and if we can bring that speed into the real car, it will help our weekend." He added that he feels more comfortable after the experience of being dropped from the senior Red Bull squad and is eager to prove his worth.
Tsunoda, who was on holiday in Greece when he received the call to race for Racing Bulls, expressed a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. "When I heard the news I was half excited, half doubtful because anything can happen, but I was super excited too," he said.
He confirmed that he has completed several test sessions in previous cars and feels physically ready for his first outing in the Racing Bulls machinery. Tsunoda emphasized that his immediate goal is simply to enjoy the experience and give a 100‑percent performance, hoping that his effort will translate into solid results. Hadjar’s injury, while minor, underscores the physical demands placed on modern F1 drivers, who must maintain peak fitness across a range of disciplines, including strength training, cardio, and sometimes combat sports like boxing to improve reflexes and mental toughness. A small crack in a wrist bone can affect a driver’s ability to steer precisely, especially on high‑speed circuits where subtle inputs are critical.
The decision to sit out the sprint weekend reflects a cautious approach by Red Bull’s medical team, prioritising long‑term health over short‑term gains. If Hadjar recovers as swiftly as hoped, he will rejoin the team at Monza, a circuit famed for its long straights and historic "Parabolica" corner. The Italian Grand Prix is often a decisive race in the championship battle, and a fit Hadjar could provide valuable points for Red Bull’s junior squad.
His return would also restore the original driver lineup, allowing the team to continue its development program without further disruption. The broader F1 weekend schedule at Zandvoort includes a full slate of support series, such as the F1 Academy, Porsche Supercup, and other junior categories. The day's programme begins early on Saturday with F1 Academy qualifying at 8:15 am, followed by build‑up to the Dutch GP sprint, the sprint itself, and later the main qualifying session.
Sunday continues with the Academy races, the Porsche Supercup, and culminates in the Dutch Grand Prix race, with the chequered flag waving in the late afternoon. All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, and viewers can stream the coverage via the NOW platform without a long‑term contract. In summary, Isack Hadjar is optimistic about a swift recovery from his wrist injury and aims to be back on the grid for the Italian Grand Prix. In his absence, Liam Lawson steps into the Racing Bulls car for the Dutch sprint, while Yuki Tsunoda fills Lawson’s seat, seizing a chance to impress.
The sprint weekend at Zandvoort offers a compact, high‑intensity racing format, and both replacement drivers are eager to make the most of the opportunity. Fans can follow all the action live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through NOW, ensuring that the excitement of Formula 1 remains accessible to a global audience.