Isack Hadjar will be absent from this weekend's Italian Grand Prix after failing to recover from a wrist injury sustained during a summer‑break boxing session. The French driver, who has been a regular fixture in Red Bull's second seat, will be replaced by Liam Lawson for the second race in a row for the team. The injury first emerged when Hadjar was sparring in a boxing workout last month. The impact caused sufficient damage to his wrist that he was forced to sit out the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, and despite an intensive rehabilitation programme he has not regained the fitness required to tackle the high‑speed demands of Monza.
Red Bull's medical staff evaluated his condition on Wednesday afternoon and concluded that a further week of rest would be the safest course of action. The team hopes the 21‑year‑old can return to competition for the next round in Madrid.
"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 a 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 gives him another opportunity to prove himself as a viable partner for Max Verstappen.
In the Dutch Grand Prix he qualified just one tenth of a second behind the Dutch driver and finished the race in seventh place, a marked improvement over his earlier outings with Red Bull at the start of the 2025 season when he was quickly dropped. A strong performance in Italy could cement his place as a regular reserve or even a permanent second driver for the team. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda will continue to race for the Racing Bulls. The Japanese driver finished just outside the points at Zandvoort, edging out full‑time teammate Arvid Lindblad, and will now have another chance to showcase his speed and consistency in front of the team principal, Laurent Mekies.
Mekies has repeatedly praised Hadjar, noting that the Frenchman has been Verstappen's closest teammate for several seasons and currently sits eighth in the Drivers' Championship. Red Bull has not yet confirmed Hadjar's contract status beyond the 2026 season.
However, his performances over the past year—including a series of points finishes and occasional podium challenges—suggest that the team is likely to retain him for 2027, assuming his health remains stable. The Italian Grand Prix schedule is packed with supporting series and fan events.
On Thursday, September 3, the drivers' press conference will begin at 1 pm, followed by the Paddock Uncut at 4 pm. Friday's program includes F3 and F2 practice sessions in the morning, the first F1 practice session at 11:30 am, and qualifying sessions for the junior categories.
The main F1 qualifying session is slated for 3 pm, with the race itself taking place on Sunday, September 6, starting at 2 pm local time. Additional content such as the F1 Show, team bosses' press conference, and post‑race analysis will be broadcast throughout the weekend. Fans can watch the entire weekend live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available through the NOW platform, which offers a contract‑free, cancel‑anytime model.
For those using a Chrome browser, a more accessible video player is recommended to ensure the best viewing experience. In summary, Hadjar's wrist injury will keep him out of Monza, giving Liam Lawson a second consecutive opportunity to race alongside Max Verstappen for Red Bull. The Frenchman's recovery is being closely monitored, with hopes of a return at the next event in Madrid.
Yuki Tsunoda will continue to fight for points with the Racing Bulls, while the broader F1 weekend promises a full slate of racing action, press events, and fan engagement activities across multiple categories.