Isack Hadjar remains confident that he will be back behind the wheel for the upcoming Formula 1 round after a wrist problem forced him to sit out the Dutch Grand Prix weekend. The young French driver sustained the injury while taking part in a boxing session that formed part of his summer break training earlier this month. As a result, Red Bull has called on Liam Lawson to fill Hadjar's seat for the Zandvoort sprint event, marking Lawson's first race back for the Red Bull stable after being dropped earlier in the season. Lawson's promotion creates a ripple effect within the Racing Bulls lineup.
Yuki Tsunoda, who has been waiting on the sidelines, will step into Lawson's vacated seat, partnering full‑time driver Arvid Lindblad for the remainder of the weekend. 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 team, the decision was made to skip the sprint at Zandvoort, giving the Frenchman extra time to heal before the next race at Monza, the Italian Grand Prix, scheduled for 4‑6 September.
Despite being sidelined, Hadjar travelled to Zandvoort to cheer on Lawson and the rest of the team. He expressed optimism about a return at Monza, noting that the extra recovery period should allow the fracture to knit together sufficiently for a safe comeback. "I’m feeling positive about my wrist and I’m looking forward to getting back in the car at the Italian Grand Prix," he said in a brief interview. Lawson, who was released from the Red Bull programme after two under‑whelming outings last year, has managed to convince the team of his value during the latter part of the 2025 season with Racing Bulls.
His performances earned him a retained seat for 2026, and he now faces the challenge of a sprint weekend—a format that demands quick adaptation and intense focus. "I’ve had a lot more races since being dropped by Red Bull, and I feel much more comfortable in this sport," Lawson explained. "A sprint weekend is a rapid learning curve, but we’ve been working hard in the simulator to accelerate that process. The faster we can get up to speed, the better our weekend will be." Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been watching the developments from the sidelines and sees this as a crucial opportunity to showcase his talent ahead of the 2027 season.
With Verstappen's recent contract extension at Red Bull and the re‑signings of Carlos Sainz at Ferrari and Alex Albon at Williams, the market for seats is tightening. Tsunoda revealed that he was on holiday in Greece when he received the call to step into the Racing Bulls car for the Dutch sprint. "When I got the call, I was half excited and half doubtful because anything can happen in this sport, but I was also thrilled," he said.
"It was confirmed that I would be racing this weekend, and I feel physically ready. I've done a few TPCs—Testing of Previous Cars—so while it will be my first time in this exact chassis, I’m eager to give it my all." He added, "As far as I understand, I’ll be in the seat for this weekend, and then it will depend on Isack’s recovery.
I hope his healing goes quickly. I’m not sure about the next Grand Prix, but my goal is simply to enjoy the experience.
I've been waiting a long time and watching the screens for months. Since the season started, I’ve been itching to be in the car and compete with the drivers.
This moment I will just enjoy, and I’ll give 100 percent performance. Hopefully that brings good results." The Dutch Grand Prix weekend schedule is packed with action. On Saturday, August 22, the day begins at 8:15 am with F1 Academy qualifying, followed by build‑up sessions for the sprint at 10 am. The sprint itself starts at 11 am, with the F1 Academy race kicking off at 1:30 pm, and the main Formula 1 qualifying session slated for 3 pm.
The afternoon also includes a Porsche Supercup race at 5 pm. Sunday, August 23, continues with the second F1 Academy race at 9:35 am, a second Porsche Supercup race at 10:50 am, and the Grand Prix build‑up at 12:30 pm. The main event—the Dutch Grand Prix—starts at 2 pm, culminating in the chequered flag at around 4 pm. All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with additional coverage on Sky Sports Main Event.
For fans who wish to follow the action, Sky Sports offers a streaming option via the NOW platform, which requires no long‑term contract and can be cancelled at any time. This provides a flexible way to watch every practice, qualifying, sprint, and race without missing a beat.
In summary, while Hadjar’s wrist injury forced him out of the Zandvoort sprint, his optimism about a swift recovery keeps the Red Bull camp hopeful for his return at Monza. Lawson’s comeback to the Red Bull fold adds an extra storyline, and Tsunoda’s surprise appearance offers a fresh narrative for the weekend. The Dutch Grand Prix promises a full schedule of high‑octane racing, and viewers can enjoy comprehensive coverage through Sky Sports and the NOW streaming service. The next few weeks will be crucial for Hadjar’s rehabilitation, Lawson’s performance under pressure, and Tsunoda’s bid to impress enough to secure a future seat on the grid.