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Unconfirmed: Isack Hadjar facing Dutch Grand Prix absence due to wrist injury
Multiple reports suggest Isack Hadjar may be sidelined for this weekend's Zandvoort race, with Liam Lawson tipped for a temporary Red Bull return.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-08-19T10:16:20.000Z - 2 min read
The Formula 1 paddock is currently navigating a wave of uncertainty regarding the health of Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar. Multiple reports indicate that the Frenchman is expected to miss the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort after sustaining a hand or wrist injury during the summer break. While details surrounding the nature of the incident remain unverified, some suggestions have pointed toward a boxing-related injury, though no official statement from the team has confirmed the circumstances.
The team has stopped short of issuing a formal confirmation of any driver changes. However, internal guidance from Red Bull sources has suggested it is increasingly likely that Hadjar will be absent when the grid lines up in the Netherlands. The situation remains fluid, and the team is expected to provide further clarity as the weekend approaches.
Should Hadjar be ruled out, the ripple effects are expected to extend across both the senior Red Bull team and the Racing Bulls outfit. Current speculation heavily favours Liam Lawson to step into the vacant seat at the senior squad. Lawson, who has previously campaigned for the team, would be making a high-stakes return to the cockpit if the move is formalised.
This potential promotion for Lawson would vacate his current position at Racing Bulls. In that scenario, reports indicate that Yuki Tsunoda is being lined up to fill the void. Tsunoda, who transitioned into a reserve driver role with the organisation after parting ways with his race seat at the conclusion of the 2025 season, remains a familiar face within the garage and would provide an experienced interim solution for the team.
The irony of the current situation has not escaped the notice of observers. The Zandvoort circuit is the same venue where Daniel Ricciardo famously sustained a broken wrist during practice three years ago, an event that provided the catalyst for Lawson’s initial F1 debut. Hadjar himself had planned to mark this weekend with a special helmet design celebrating his first podium finish achieved at the track last season.
The timing of a potential driver swap comes as Red Bull continues to grapple with a challenging 2026 campaign. With Max Verstappen still hunting for his first victory of the year, any disruption to the driver lineup adds significant pressure to a weekend that already carries emotional weight. As Zandvoort prepares for what is expected to be its final appearance on the Formula 1 calendar, the focus on the driver market remains as intense as the action on the track.