Isack Hadjar will be absent from the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid as he continues his rehabilitation from a fractured wrist sustained during a routine training session. The injury, a hair‑line fracture in one of the bones of his wrist, occurred over the summer break while Hadjar was taking part in a boxing workout, a common cross‑training activity for drivers. The fracture forced him to sit out the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, and now the Spanish round, extending his time away from the cockpit.
In Hadjar's place, Liam Lawson will step back into the Red Bull Racing seat for a third consecutive race, partnering Max Verstappen once again at the brand‑new Madring circuit. Red Bull released an official statement confirming the decision: "After racing for the team in Zandvoort and Monza, Liam will continue to drive alongside Max at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. The decision has been taken as Isack's recovery continues to progress positively.
While he is not yet ready to return to the cockpit, he will be in Madrid supporting the team. Everyone at Red Bull Racing looks forward to welcoming Isack back behind the wheel very soon." Lawson's recent performances have shown a marked improvement compared with his earlier outings for Red Bull. In the Netherlands, he qualified just one‑tenth of a second slower than Verstappen and finished the race in seventh place, a stark contrast to his two early‑season appearances in 2025 when he struggled to match the team's pace and was subsequently dropped.
At Monza, Lawson's qualifying run was compromised when he was impeded on his final lap by Oscar Piastri, causing him to fall out of Q2. In the race, a pit‑lane start due to engine penalties and an early collision with Audi's Nico Hülkenberg forced Lawson to replace a damaged front wing.
Despite these setbacks, he managed to claw his way back to 14th place, while Verstappen secured a podium finish. The Spanish Grand Prix weekend is packed with a full schedule of support series and media events. On Thursday, September 10, the drivers' press conference is slated for 2 pm, followed by the Paddock Uncut at 5 pm. Friday's programme includes F3 and F2 practice sessions, the first F1 practice, and qualifying for the junior categories, as well as a team bosses' press conference and the F1 Show in the evening.
Saturday features the F3 sprint, the third F1 practice, the F2 sprint, and the crucial qualifying session for the Spanish Grand Prix, which will determine the grid for the Sunday race. The final day, Sunday, September 13, will see the F3 and F2 feature races, the build‑up to the Grand Prix, the race itself at 2 pm, and post‑race analysis including the Chequered Flag reaction and Ted's Notebook. In addition to Lawson's role, Yuki Tsunoda continues to compete for the Racing Bulls team, having delivered two solid weekends that kept him within striking distance of his teammate Arvid Lindblad.
Tsunoda scored points at Monza, underscoring his consistency and pace. The 26‑year‑old driver, who was released from Red Bull's junior programme last season, is hopeful that his strong performances will earn him a seat on the grid for the 2027 season. "I'm free!
Would love to hear those calls, but not yet," Tsunoda said, adding that his primary aim remains to secure a full‑time Formula 1 drive. He acknowledged the difficulty of obtaining a race seat, noting that "in this world anything can happen," but remained optimistic about his prospects.
Fans wishing to follow the action can watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through the NOW platform. The broadcaster has emphasized that the coverage will be accessible via Chrome for the best video player experience. The Spanish Grand Prix marks the debut of the Madring circuit, a state‑of‑the‑art facility designed to showcase modern F1 technology and provide exciting racing for spectators. Overall, the weekend promises high‑octane drama both on and off the track.
While Hadjar continues his recovery and hopes for a swift return, Lawson has the opportunity to solidify his position within Red Bull and demonstrate that he can consistently challenge Verstappen. Meanwhile, Tsunoda's performances could be a stepping stone toward a future F1 seat.
The combination of a new venue, a packed support series schedule, and the ever‑present battle for championship points ensures that the Spanish Grand Prix will be a focal point for motorsport enthusiasts worldwide.