Isack Hadjar will be absent from the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza as his lingering wrist injury still requires treatment, and the Red Bull squad has called up Liam Lawson to fill his seat for a second straight race. The French driver originally damaged his wrist while sparring in a boxing session during the summer break last month. That setback forced him to sit out the Dutch Grand Prix, and despite intensive rehabilitation, he has not regained sufficient fitness to compete in Italy.
Lawson, who stepped in for Hadjar in the Netherlands, will again partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull for the Monza weekend. This gives Yuki Tsunoda another opportunity to showcase his talent within the Racing Bulls line‑up, as the team reshuffles its driver roster to cover Hadjar's absence.
Red Bull announced on Wednesday afternoon that they would give Hadjar every possible chance to return to the cockpit, but the team’s medical staff concluded that another race would be too risky. The plan is for Hadjar to recover fully and aim for a comeback at 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," the Red Bull press release read. "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.
Team principal Laurent Mekies has repeatedly praised the 21‑year‑old, noting that he has been Verstappen's closest teammate for several seasons and that his performances have cemented his place in the squad. While Red Bull have not yet confirmed Hadjar's contract status beyond 2026, his strong showings suggest he will retain his seat for the foreseeable future. Lawson’s performance in the Dutch Grand Prix was a marked improvement over his earlier outings with Red Bull at the start of the 2025 season.
He qualified just one‑tenth of a second behind Verstappen and finished the race in seventh place, a stark contrast to the results that led to his initial dismissal. This resurgence has reinforced Red Bull's confidence in his ability to step up when needed. Meanwhile, Tsunoda delivered a solid weekend for the Racing Bulls, finishing just outside the points but ahead of full‑time driver Arvid Lindblad.
His consistent pace adds depth to the team’s driver pool and keeps pressure on the established lineup. The Italian Grand Prix schedule is packed with supporting series. On Thursday, September 3, the drivers’ press conference will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the Paddock Uncut at 4 p.m.
Friday’s program includes F3 and F2 practice sessions, the first F1 practice at 11:30 a.m., and qualifying sessions for the junior categories, culminating in the F1 Show at 4:15 p.m. Saturday features the F3 sprint, the third F1 practice, the F2 sprint, and the crucial qualifying session for the Grand Prix, with Ted’s Qualifying Notebook providing analysis at 5 p.m. Sunday’s race day starts with the F3 and F2 feature races, a Porsche Supercup race, and then the main event – the Italian Grand Prix – which will kick off at 2 p.m. Post‑race coverage includes a chequered‑flag reaction segment and another edition of Ted’s Notebook.
Fans can watch the entire weekend live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW without a long‑term contract and the option to cancel at any time. The Monza circuit, known as the "Temple of Speed," will host Ferrari’s home race, and despite Hadjar’s absence, the event promises high‑octane action as Verstappen seeks to extend his dominance while his temporary teammate Lawson aims to prove his worth. In summary, Hadjar’s wrist injury, sustained during a summer boxing workout, has sidelined him for the Italian Grand Prix, prompting Red Bull to promote Liam Lawson for a second consecutive race.
The team remains cautious about Hadjar’s return, targeting the Madrid Grand Prix for his comeback. Meanwhile, Lawson’s recent seventh‑place finish in the Netherlands and Tsunoda’s competitive showing underscore the depth of talent within the Red Bull program. The Monza weekend will feature a full slate of supporting races and extensive coverage, ensuring that fans have ample content even without the French driver on the grid.