Isack Hadjar will miss his third consecutive Formula 1® race due to a wrist injury, with Liam Lawson continuing to fill in for him at Red Bull Racing. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda returns to Racing Bulls for the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, marking a reshuffle in the driver lineup ahead of the event.
Hadjar fractured his wrist during a boxing session, part of his training routine at the end of the summer break. This injury has sidelined him for the Dutch and Italian Grands Prix, and he will also be absent for the Spanish Grand Prix, scheduled to take place in Madrid. Red Bull Racing confirmed that while Hadjar's recovery is progressing positively, he is not yet ready to return to racing and will support the team from the sidelines in Madrid.
The decision to keep Hadjar out of the Spanish Grand Prix was also influenced by comments from Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies, who indicated that a return at the Madrid circuit would be “tricky” given the short turnaround. Liam Lawson will continue to replace Hadjar at Red Bull Racing, partnering Max Verstappen in the RB22 car. Lawson’s recent outings include a seventh-place finish at Zandvoort and a non-points finish at Monza due to an engine penalty.
Yuki Tsunoda is set to return to Racing Bulls for the Spanish Grand Prix after competing for Red Bull in the previous rounds. Tsunoda scored his first point of the season at Monza, finishing tenth, although Audi has since notified the stewards of their intention to appeal the decision not to penalize him for causing an extra formation lap. This development adds an additional layer of interest to Tsunoda’s ongoing campaign in the junior team.
Red Bull’s management appears to be handling Hadjar’s injury with caution, prioritizing his full recovery over rushing him back into competition. This approach reflects the team’s broader strategy to manage young talent carefully, ensuring drivers are physically ready before returning to the demanding environment of Formula 1® racing.
Lawson’s continued presence alongside Verstappen offers the team stability in the driver lineup during Hadjar’s absence. His performances have shown promise despite some setbacks, and his experience will be valuable as Red Bull aims to maintain its competitive edge. Meanwhile, Tsunoda’s return to Racing Bulls provides him with another opportunity to build momentum and contribute to the team’s efforts in the championship.
The situation around Hadjar’s injury and the driver lineup changes ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix underline the challenges teams face in managing driver fitness and development within the fast-paced Formula 1® calendar. Red Bull’s cautious approach suggests that Hadjar’s return will be carefully timed, with no fixed date announced beyond his absence in Madrid.