Liam Lawson will continue to race for Oracle Red Bull Racing at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, stepping in once again for Isack Hadjar, who remains sidelined due to a wrist injury. This marks Lawson’s third consecutive race weekend with the team as Hadjar’s recovery progresses.
Since the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, Lawson has been substituting for Hadjar, who sustained the injury during summer training. After also racing at Monza, Lawson is confirmed to partner Max Verstappen for the Madrid event. Meanwhile, Hadjar is expected to attend the Spanish Grand Prix to support the team but will not be behind the wheel.
Hadjar’s ongoing recovery has led Red Bull to maintain Lawson in the race seat, reflecting the team’s cautious approach to the driver’s return. At the same time, Yuki Tsunoda has taken over Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls, the sister team to Red Bull Racing, where he races alongside Arvid Lindblad. Lawson’s recent outings with Red Bull have seen him finish seventh and fourteenth, while Tsunoda’s performances with Racing Bulls include eleventh and tenth place finishes.
The decision to keep Lawson in the Red Bull Racing car for Madrid underlines the team’s confidence in his ability to perform at this level while ensuring Hadjar’s recovery is not rushed. The Spanish Grand Prix weekend will see Lawson continue to gain valuable experience in a top-tier Formula 1® environment, contributing to the team’s efforts alongside Verstappen.
Red Bull has expressed optimism about Hadjar’s recovery timeline, though no specific return date has been announced. The situation highlights the challenges teams face when managing driver fitness and continuity during a demanding championship season.
Lawson’s role as a substitute driver has provided stability for Red Bull Racing during Hadjar’s absence, while Tsunoda’s move to Racing Bulls ensures a smooth transition within the Red Bull driver development framework. This arrangement allows all parties to focus on performance and recovery without disruption.
As the Spanish Grand Prix approaches, the team’s lineup reflects both the practical considerations of driver health and the ongoing management of talent across its racing programmes. Lawson’s continuation at Red Bull Racing for Madrid offers him further exposure at the highest level of the sport while supporting the team’s competitive objectives.