Red Bull Racing has confirmed that its driver line-up for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza will remain unchanged from the Dutch Grand Prix. Liam Lawson will continue to fill in for Isack Hadjar, who is still recovering from a wrist injury sustained during the summer break.
Hadjar’s injury, caused by a fracture during a boxing session, has kept him sidelined since the summer pause in the Formula 1® calendar. Red Bull has opted for a cautious approach to his recovery, prioritizing his health over a rushed return to racing. As a result, Lawson will once again partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing for the Monza event.
Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda will return to the sister team Racing Bulls to take over the seat vacated by Lawson. Tsunoda and Lawson both impressed in their substitute roles at the Dutch Grand Prix, with Lawson finishing seventh and Tsunoda just outside the points in 11th place.
In addition to the driver changes, reserve driver Ayumu Iwasa is set to participate in the first practice session at Monza, fulfilling the rookie session requirement. This move is part of Red Bull’s ongoing strategy to provide experience to its reserve drivers while managing the main driver line-up carefully.
Hadjar’s recovery is reportedly progressing well, but the team remains cautious about his return timeline. The decision to maintain the current driver arrangement reflects Red Bull’s focus on ensuring that Hadjar’s rehabilitation is fully complete before he resumes racing duties.
The Italian Grand Prix at Monza is a key event on the 2026 Formula 1® calendar, and Red Bull’s driver choices underline the team’s commitment to stability and performance continuity during this period. Lawson’s solid performance in the Dutch Grand Prix has provided the team with confidence in his ability to step up when needed, while Tsunoda’s return to Racing Bulls helps maintain consistency across the Red Bull driver programme.
This driver line-up confirmation offers clarity ahead of the Monza weekend, with Red Bull managing its resources carefully amid ongoing challenges. The team’s approach highlights the importance of balancing driver health and competitive readiness as the season progresses.