Isack Hadjar will be absent from the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza as a lingering wrist problem prevents him from competing. The young French driver, who has been a regular fixture in Red Bull’s junior lineup, suffered the injury while sparring in a boxing session during the summer break last month. The setback forced him to sit out the Dutch Grand Prix, and despite intensive rehabilitation efforts, he has not recovered sufficiently to take part in the high‑speed Italian event. In Hadjar’s place, Red Bull has turned to Liam Lawson for a second straight race.
Lawson, who stepped up as Max Verstappen’s teammate at the Dutch Grand Prix, will again line up alongside the seven‑time world champion in Monza. This move also opens a door for Yuki Tsunoda, who will have another opportunity to showcase his talent for the Racing Bulls team. Red Bull announced the decision on Wednesday afternoon, emphasizing that while the team wants to give Hadjar every possible chance to race, the medical staff have recommended another rest period. The goal is for Hadjar to return in the next round, the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, scheduled for the following weekend.
"Liam will drive alongside Max at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, while Isack continues to make encouraging progress following the wrist injury sustained during the summer break," Red Bull said in an official statement. "The team is closely monitoring his rehabilitation and will take no unnecessary risks with his return to competition and wishes him a speedy recovery." Hadjar currently sits eighth in the Drivers' Championship, and team principal Laurent Mekies has repeatedly praised the Frenchman's consistency, noting that he has been Verstappen’s closest teammate for several seasons. The injury comes at a crucial juncture in the championship battle, and Red Bull has yet to confirm whether Hadjar will remain with the squad beyond the 2026 season. However, his strong performances at a young age suggest that his seat is likely to be secure.
Lawson’s recent form has been impressive. At Zandvoort, he qualified just one‑tenth of a second behind Verstappen and finished the Dutch Grand Prix in seventh place—a stark improvement compared with his earlier outings for Red Bull at the start of the 2025 season, when he was briefly dropped.
This resurgence has bolstered his reputation as a reliable backup driver capable of delivering points when called upon. Tsunoda also enjoyed a respectable weekend with Racing Bulls, finishing just outside the points but ahead of full‑time driver Arvid Lindblad. His performance adds depth to the team’s driver pool and provides additional data for Red Bull’s development program. The Italian Grand Prix weekend is packed with supporting series action.
Thursday, September 3, will feature the Drivers' Press Conference at 1 pm, followed by the Paddock Uncut at 4 pm. Friday’s schedule includes F3 practice at 7.30 am, F2 practice at 8.55 am, and the first Formula 1 practice session at 11 am (the session actually begins at 11.30 am). Qualifying sessions for F3 and F2 follow, with the second F1 practice session slated for 2.35 pm and the F1 show at 4.15 pm. On Saturday, September 5, the program continues with the F3 sprint at 8.25 am, the third F1 practice at 11.15 am, and the F2 sprint at 1.10 pm.
Qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix kicks off at 3 pm, with Ted’s Qualifying Notebook airing at 5 pm. Sunday, September 6, will host the F3 feature race at 7.10 am, the F2 feature race at 8.40 am, the Porsche Supercup race at 10.40 am, and the main Formula 1 race at 2 pm, followed by post‑race analysis and reaction segments.
Fans can watch the entire weekend live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through the NOW platform, which offers a contract‑free subscription that can be cancelled at any time. The Italian Grand Prix, held at Ferrari’s home circuit, is always a highlight of the Formula 1 calendar, drawing massive crowds and delivering high‑octane drama.
While Hadjar’s absence is a disappointment for his supporters, the team’s cautious approach to his recovery underscores the importance of driver health in a sport where split‑second decisions can have lasting consequences. Looking ahead, Red Bull hopes that Hadjar will be fit for the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, where he can rejoin Verstappen and continue his pursuit of a top‑ten finish in the championship. In the meantime, Lawson’s continued presence alongside Verstappen provides the team with a reliable backup, and Tsunoda’s steady performance adds further depth to the Racing Bulls lineup.
The Italian Grand Prix will therefore not only be a test of speed on the historic Monza circuit but also a showcase of Red Bull’s strategic depth and driver development pipeline.