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 portion of a 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 examined the injury and, after careful discussion, advised that he skip the sprint weekend at Zandvoort to give the fracture adequate time to heal before the next event, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, scheduled for September 4‑6.
During Hadjar's absence, Liam Lawson was drafted in to fill the vacant seat at Red Bull Racing. Lawson, who was previously released by the team after two under‑whelming outings last season, has spent the remainder of the 2025 campaign with the Racing Bulls outfit and performed well enough to earn a full‑time drive for the 2026 season. His promotion makes him the first driver to return to a Red Bull‑aligned car after being let go, highlighting the team's willingness to give promising talent a second chance.
Lawson's elevation created a ripple effect across the Racing Bulls line‑up. Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese driver who has been waiting on the sidelines for an opportunity, will step into Lawson's former seat alongside regular teammate Arvid Lindblad. Tsunoda, who has been closely monitoring the team's developments throughout the year, sees this as a crucial chance to showcase his abilities and potentially secure a permanent place on the grid for the 2027 season. He acknowledged the timing was unexpected but expressed enthusiasm, noting that he was on a holiday in Greece when he received the call to race at Zandvoort.
"When I heard the news I felt a mixture of excitement and a bit of doubt because you never know what can happen in this sport," Tsunoda said. "But ultimately I was thrilled. The car is new to me, but I have done a few TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) sessions, and I feel physically ready. I just want to enjoy the weekend and give it my all." The Dutch Grand Prix weekend itself is packed with a full schedule of supporting series and main‑event sessions.
The program begins on Saturday, August 22, with an F1 Academy qualifying session at 8:15 am, followed by build‑up activities for the sprint race, the sprint itself at 11:00 am, and later the F1 Academy Race 1 at 1:30 pm. Qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix is slated for 3:00 pm, and the day concludes with a Porsche Supercup race at 5:00 pm.
Sunday, August 23, continues with the second F1 Academy race, a second Porsche Supercup race, and the main Grand Prix action, including the sprint‑qualifying build‑up, the full Grand Prix start at 2:00 pm, and the chequered flag ceremony later in the afternoon. All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW for viewers without a traditional contract. Lawson, who is now back in a Red Bull‑linked car, reflected on his own situation, noting that he has accumulated considerably more race experience since his earlier dismissal. "I feel much more comfortable racing now," he explained, "but this weekend will be very challenging.
It's a sprint format, so we have to learn quickly. We've been working on that in the simulator, and the faster we can shorten the learning curve, the better our chances." Hadjar, although sidelined, travelled to Zandvoort to support his teammate Lawson from the pit lane. He expressed optimism that his recovery would progress swiftly enough to allow him to line up for the Italian Grand Prix. "The medical team gave me a clear plan, and I'm following it closely.
If everything goes as expected, I should be fit for Monza," Hadjar said. His wrist fracture is described as minor, and doctors anticipate a full recovery with a brief period of rest and physiotherapy.
The broader championship context adds pressure to all drivers. Hadjar currently sits ninth in the Drivers' Championship, trailing only the leading squads from Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari and the main Red Bull team. His consistent point‑scoring finishes—eight in total—have made him a midfield contender and a valuable asset for Red Bull's junior program. A return at Monza could be pivotal for maintaining his championship momentum.
Meanwhile, the competitive landscape for seats remains tight. Red Bull has already secured a long‑term contract extension for Max Verstappen, while Williams has locked in Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon for the coming seasons.
This leaves limited openings for drivers like Tsunoda to secure a permanent role, making his performance at Zandvoort all the more critical. Fans are encouraged to watch the action using Chrome for the best video player experience, as recommended by the broadcaster. The event also includes additional content such as head‑to‑head team‑mate scores, schedule guides, and the option to receive updates via Sky Sports on WhatsApp.
In summary, Isack Hadjar is eager to rejoin the grid after a brief wrist injury, with his medical team giving the green light for a return at the Italian Grand Prix. Liam Lawson has stepped back into a Red Bull‑affiliated car, marking a rare comeback after being dropped, while Yuki Tsunoda will make his debut for Racing Bulls, hoping to impress and secure a future seat.
The Dutch Grand Prix weekend offers a full slate of races and supporting events, all available live on Sky Sports F1 and streamable through NOW, ensuring fans worldwide can follow every twist and turn of the championship drama.