Lawson Called Up as Hadjar Misses Zandvoort

Liam Lawson will return to Red Bull Racing for this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, filling in for the injured Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls confirmed to the NZ Herald. The 24-year-old New Zealander takes the seat after Hadjar suffered a wrist injury, described by multiple reports as sustained while boxing during the mid-season break.

The reshuffle also brings Yuki Tsunoda back to Racing Bulls, partnering Arvid Lindblad. Tsunoda, who was the Red Bull group’s reserve driver, had been dropped by Red Bull at the end of the 2025 season. Racing Bulls confirmed the news to the Herald, though details on the cause and timing of Hadjar's injury came from a report carried by one outlet.

A Final Race at Zandvoort

The Dutch Grand Prix holds extra significance this year as it will be the final race at Zandvoort, with race organisers unable to fund the event beyond 2026. Hadjar, who finished third at Zandvoort last year—his first and only F1 podium—will miss the opportunity to race there again. The 21-year-old has sat eighth in the Drivers' Championship, as reported by the same outlet that detailed his boxing injury.

Hadjar was seen at the circuit signing autographs, but appeared to barely use his left hand, according to witnesses on track cited in the report. The same report indicated that medical advice may have been to rest the injury as much as possible.

Lawson's Familiar Role

Lawson is no stranger to stepping in for an injured driver. He made his F1 debut at Zandvoort in 2023, replacing Daniel Ricciardo after the Australian broke his hand, as reported by Formula 1. That same race circuit now provides the backdrop for another unexpected opportunity, returning to a Red Bull seat after his short-lived stint in 2025, when he was demoted after just two races.

The move was triggered by Hadjar's injury, with Lawson's Racing Bulls seat being opened for Tsunoda. Tsunoda, who drove for Red Bull for most of the 2025 season before finishing 12th in the championship, is now set to partner Arvid Lindblad.

Tsunoda's Media Briefing Sheet

In a separate development, photographs of Tsunoda's media briefing sheet, published by GIVEMESPORT, appear to show planned answers to anticipated questions, including 'Anything can happen in F1' and 'Laurent called me.' These photos, obtained by a paddock photographer, were only partially obscured, the outlet reported, raising questions about the authenticity of poolside comments.

The Challenge Ahead

While Lawson's return is confirmed, attention turns to whether Hadjar will reclaim his seat at Monza on 6 September. Craig Slater of Sky Sports told the report that "The expectation is with a fair wind, he should be back for Monza," per a report carried by one outlet.

However, conflicting information suggests Red Bull is privately eyeing a bleaker scenario. Per Autosport, cited in another report, there is concern within the team that Hadjar could aggravate his injury if he returns too quickly, potentially ruling him out for the rest of the season. The same reporting says no blame is being placed on Hadjar for the injury, which occurred while boxing.

A Historical Background: Super-Subs in F1

Lawson's role as a stand-in is part of a long history in Formula 1. Formula 1's own review of the situation points to several memorable replacements. Jean-Louis Schlesser stepped in for Nigel Mansell at Williams in 1988 after Mansell contracted chickenpox; Schlesser later clashed with race leader Ayrton Senna at Monza, handing Ferrari a 1-2 home victory. Alex Wurz replaced Gerhard Berger in Canada in 1997 and took a podium in Britain.

Mika Salo filled in for the injured Michael Schumacher at Ferrari in 1999, letting Eddie Irvine pass for victory in Germany. Sebastian Vettel subbed for the injured Robert Kubica in 2007, finishing eighth. Luca Badoer, in 2009, was last in qualifying and race at Valencia when replacing the injured Felipe Massa. Kamui Kobayashi replaced Timo Glock in 2009 and scored points in the season finale, while Stoffel Vandoorne, in Bahrain 2016, earned a point for McLaren. George Russell in 2020 came close to victory at Mercedes but had to cite a tyre mix-up, and Nyck de Vries, replacing Alex Albon at Williams in 2022, finished ninth.

For Lawson, this could be another chance. But as the past shows, substitution can shine or slip away.