Isack Hadjar will be absent from this weekend's Italian Grand Prix after failing to recover from a wrist injury that continues to trouble him. The French driver, who has been a regular presence in Red Bull's second seat, will be replaced by Liam Lawson for a second race in a row, giving the young Kiwi an extended stint alongside Max Verstappen at the iconic Monza circuit. The injury originated during a boxing session that Hadjar incorporated into his summer training regimen last month.
The bout of pain forced him to sit out the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, and despite intensive rehabilitation efforts, his wrist has not healed sufficiently to meet the physical demands of a Formula One race. Red Bull's medical team, after a thorough assessment on Wednesday afternoon, concluded that it would be unsafe for Hadjar to compete at Monza, opting to give him additional time to regain full strength before the next event in Madrid 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 announced 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." Lawson's promotion to the Red Bull race seat provides him with a valuable opportunity to showcase his talent on a larger stage. At Zandvoort, he qualified just one-tenth of a second behind Verstappen and finished the Dutch Grand Prix in seventh place, a marked improvement over his two earlier outings for the team at the start of the 2025 season, which had ended prematurely.
This performance has reinforced Red Bull's confidence in his ability to step up when required, and his continued presence at Monza will be closely watched by team management and fans alike. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda will retain his place at the Racing Bulls for the Italian round, offering him another chance to impress. In the Dutch Grand Prix, Tsunoda finished just outside the points but managed to outpace full‑time driver Arvid Lindblad, indicating that he is making steady progress within the Red Bull junior program. A strong showing at Monza could further solidify his standing and potentially influence future seat allocations within the organization.
Hadjar currently sits eighth in the Drivers' Championship, and team principal Laurent Mekies has praised his consistency, noting that the Frenchman has been Verstappen's closest teammate for several seasons. Although Red Bull have not yet confirmed whether Hadjar will remain with the squad beyond the 2026 season, his performances to date suggest that a contract extension for 2027 is a realistic prospect, provided he can return to full fitness and continue delivering points‑scoring finishes.
The Italian Grand Prix weekend features a packed schedule of support series and ancillary events. On Thursday, September 3, the drivers' press conference will commence at 1 p.m., followed by the Paddock Uncut at 4 p.m.
Friday's agenda includes F3 and F2 practice sessions, two separate Formula 1 practice sessions, qualifying for the junior categories, and the Team Bosses' press conference. Saturday will host the F3 sprint race, a third F1 practice session, the F2 sprint, and the crucial qualifying session that determines the grid for the main race.
Sunday culminates with the F3 and F2 feature races, a Porsche Supercup race, and finally the Italian Grand Prix itself, with post‑race analysis and reaction segments scheduled throughout the afternoon. For viewers, the race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available through NOW for those who prefer an online platform without a long‑term contract.
Fans are advised to use the Chrome browser for optimal video player performance, as noted by the service provider. In summary, Hadjar's wrist injury, sustained during a summer boxing workout, has forced him to miss yet another race, extending his recovery period into the Madrid Grand Prix.
Liam Lawson steps into the Red Bull car for the second consecutive weekend, aiming to build on his promising seventh‑place finish in the Netherlands. Yuki Tsunoda remains at the Racing Bulls, hoping to capitalize on his recent near‑point finish. Red Bull continues to monitor Hadjar's rehabilitation closely, emphasizing a cautious approach to his return, while also contemplating his future role within the team. The Italian Grand Prix promises an action‑packed weekend for both the main event and the supporting categories, offering plenty of excitement for Formula 1 enthusiasts worldwide.