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 young French driver injured his wrist while taking part in a boxing session during the summer break earlier this month.
As a result, Liam Lawson has been drafted in to fill Hadjar's seat for the Dutch event, marking Lawson's first appearance for Red Bull since his earlier dismissal from the senior team. The reshuffle also sees Yuki Tsunoda stepping into Lawson's vacated seat at the Racing Bulls outfit, partnering full‑time driver Arvid Lindblad.
According to Sky Sports News, Hadjar suffered a minor fracture—a small crack in one of the wrist bones—during a routine workout late last week. After consulting Red Bull's medical personnel, the decision was made for him to skip the Sprint weekend at Zandvoort, allowing extra time for the fracture to heal before the next race at Monza. Hadjar travelled to Zandvoort this weekend to cheer on Lawson and has expressed optimism about being fit for the Italian Grand Prix, which is scheduled for 4‑6 September. He told reporters that the medical team gave him a clear recovery timetable and that he is following all prescribed rehabilitation protocols.
"I feel good about the progress so far and hope to be back in the car for Monza," he said. Lawson, who was dropped from Red Bull after two underwhelming outings last season, has managed to keep his seat by delivering solid performances for Racing Bulls throughout the remainder of the 2025 campaign.
The 24‑year‑old has emerged as one of the midfield's most consistent point‑scorers, chalking up eight points‑finishing races and currently sitting ninth in the Drivers' Championship—behind only the Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull line‑ups. "I've had a lot more races since being let go by Red Bull," Lawson explained. "I feel much more comfortable racing now, but this weekend will still be a tough challenge. It's a Sprint weekend, so the learning curve is steep, but we've been working on it in the simulator.
The faster we can compress that learning process, the better our chances." Meanwhile, Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda has been waiting on the sidelines all season, hoping for an opportunity to showcase his talent and secure a full‑time seat for 2027. His prospects have been somewhat clouded by recent contract extensions at Red Bull for Max Verstappen, as well as renewed deals for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari and Alex Albon at Williams. Tsunoda revealed that he was on holiday in Greece when he received the call on Tuesday to prepare for a race with Racing Bulls. "When I got the call, I was half excited and half doubtful because you never know what will happen, but I was also thrilled," Tsunoda said.
"It was confirmed that I'd be racing this weekend. I'm physically ready—I've done a few TPCs (Testing of Previous Cars).
It will be my first time in this particular chassis, but I'm very excited." He added, "As far as I understand, I'm in the seat for this weekend, and it will depend on Isack's recovery after that. I hope his healing goes quickly.
I'm not sure about the next Grand Prix, but my goal is simply to enjoy the race. I've been watching the screen for months, waiting for a chance to compete.
This moment I will relish and give 100 % performance, hoping it translates into good results." The weekend schedule at Zandvoort is packed with action. On Saturday, August 22, the day begins with F1 Academy qualifying at 8:15 am, followed by build‑up sessions for the Dutch GP Sprint at 10:00 am.
The Sprint itself kicks off at 11:00 am, with the F1 Academy Race 1 at 1:30 pm, and the Dutch GP qualifying build‑up at 2:20 pm. Qualifying for the Grand Prix runs at 3:00 pm, and the Porsche Supercup Race 1 follows at 5:00 pm. Sunday, August 23, continues with the second F1 Academy race at 9:35 am, Porsche Supercup Race 2 at 10:50 am, and the main Grand Prix action starting at 12:30 pm, culminating in the chequered flag at around 4:00 pm.
All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW without a long‑term contract. Hadjar's optimism, Lawson's determination, and Tsunoda's eagerness combine to create a compelling narrative for the Dutch Sprint weekend, while fans will be watching closely to see whether the Frenchman can recover in time for Monza.
The next few weeks will be crucial for all three drivers as they balance recovery, preparation, and performance in the highly competitive midfield of Formula 1.