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Liam Lawson steps in for injured Isack Hadjar at Zandvoort
Red Bull has confirmed Liam Lawson will take the seat vacated by Isack Hadjar, who is sidelined for the Dutch Grand Prix due to a gym-related wrist injury.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-08-19T13:07:30.000Z - 2 min read
Red Bull has officially confirmed a last-minute change to its driver lineup for this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, with Liam Lawson drafted in to replace Isack Hadjar. The move comes following news that Hadjar, who was slated to compete at the Zandvoort circuit, has been forced to withdraw after sustaining a wrist injury during a training session.
The physical setback, which occurred while Hadjar was working out in the gym, has rendered the driver unable to fulfill his racing commitments for the upcoming round. While the team acknowledged the injury on Wednesday morning, the formal decision to pivot to Lawson followed shortly after, closing the door on Hadjar’s participation in an event that holds significance as the site of his previous appearances.
For Lawson, the sudden call-up offers an unexpected return to active duty. The team has navigated the disruption quickly, opting for a familiar face within the Red Bull fold to ensure that the seat is occupied by a driver already well-versed in the setup and operational standards of the organization.
Red Bull management issued a brief statement regarding the situation, expressing their well wishes for Hadjar and highlighting their focus on a speedy recovery for the injured driver. The team has not provided further details regarding the long-term prognosis for the wrist injury or how it might affect the remainder of his scheduled duties for the season.
The pressure now shifts to Lawson as he steps into the cockpit at short notice. Arriving at a technical and demanding circuit like Zandvoort with limited preparation is a significant challenge for any driver, particularly given the high-stakes nature of the midfield battle and the unique atmosphere of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend.
While the focus remains on the immediate replacement, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the physical rigours involved in modern Formula 1 preparation. With the team now prioritizing the logistics of the weekend, the focus in the garage will be on integrating Lawson and ensuring he is up to speed before the first practice session gets underway on Friday.