The Formula One paddock is bracing for an unexpected driver reshuffle ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix. Red Bull rookie Isack Hadjar is set to miss the race at Zandvoort after sustaining a wrist injury during training. While the team has yet to formally confirm the setback, reports indicate the French prodigy will be sidelined, triggering a series of seat changes across the Red Bull setup.
Isack Hadjar’s Injury
The 21-year-old French driver suffered the wrist injury during a routine gym session in preparation for the race weekend. Hadjar, who has thoroughly impressed during his rookie campaign and emerged as a top contender for a future seat alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen, is unlikely to be fit in time to navigate the physical demands of the Zandvoort circuit.
🚨 ÚLTIMA HORA 🚨
💥 Isack Hadjar sufre una LESIÓN de muñeca y, a falta de confirmación, se perderá TODO el Gran Premio de Zandvoort
👉🏼 Le sustituirá Liam Lawson
‼️ YUKI TSUNODA se subirá al monoplaza de Racing Bulls
📰 @ErikvHaren vía De Telegraaf pic.twitter.com/NnmtHOLAB0
— Nachez (@Nachez98) August 19, 2026
Who is expected to replace Hadjar at Red Bull at F1 Dutch Grand Prix 2026?
New Zealand driver Liam Lawson is slated to step up and replace Hadjar at Red Bull for the weekend. The 24-year-old currently competes for sister team Racing Bulls and sits ninth in the drivers’ championship standings. To fill Lawson’s vacant seat at Racing Bulls, former Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda is expected to step in alongside Arvid Lindblad.
A one-race promotion marks a temporary return to the senior Red Bull squad for Lawson, bringing a notable sense of history repeating itself. Lawson originally made his Formula One debut at Zandvoort back in 2023 under nearly identical circumstances, stepping in for AlphaTauri after Daniel Ricciardo suffered a broken wrist during practice.
The Dutch Grand Prix serves as the 12th round of the Formula One season as the championship battle heats up. Following the action in the Netherlands, teams will have a brief turnaround before heading to the iconic Temple of Speed for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, scheduled just two weeks later.
(With inputs from Reuters)
