Words: Kyle Cassidy
Published 3 September 2026
Liam Lawson will get a second consecutive Formula 1 outing with Red Bull after Isack Hadjar was ruled out of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.
The New Zealander will again partner Max Verstappen at Monza following his seventh-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix. Yuki Tsunoda will continue to fill Lawson’s usual Racing Bulls seat alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad.
Hadjar injured his wrist while training during Formula 1’s mid-season break and was unable to compete at Zandvoort. Although the Frenchman had hoped to return in Italy, Red Bull has decided to give him more recovery time.
“Liam will drive alongside Max at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, while Isack continues to make encouraging progress following the wrist injury sustained during the summer break,” Red Bull said in a statement.
“The team is closely monitoring his rehabilitation and will take no unnecessary risks with his return to competition and wishes him a speedy recovery.”
It gives Lawson another opportunity to impress with the senior Red Bull team after returning to it unexpectedly in the Netherlands.
Lawson started the 2025 season alongside Verstappen but was dropped back to Racing Bulls after only two races. Hadjar later secured the Red Bull seat for 2026, while Tsunoda became reserve driver for both teams.
The latest reshuffle has put Lawson back in the Red Bull for at least two rounds. He made good use of the first opportunity at Zandvoort, finishing seventh after Verstappen crashed out on the opening lap of his home race.
That result lifted Lawson to ninth in the drivers’ championship with 49 points. Verstappen sits sixth after failing to score in the Netherlands.
Monza will provide a different challenge. Known for its long straights and heavy braking zones, the Italian circuit is one of the fastest venues on the Formula 1 calendar.
Hadjar attended the Dutch Grand Prix and had been optimistic about returning for the Italian round.
“It’s my first injury ever in my whole existence, career, whatever. So it’s weird to be on the bench. I’m not happy about it, for me and for the team,” he said at Zandvoort.
“It’s not swollen, which is a good sign. Actually, it’s healing fast. Every day I have a bit more mobility and I’m hopeful for Monza.”
Red Bull’s decision means Tsunoda also gains another race at Racing Bulls. The experienced Japanese driver will partner Lindblad while Lawson remains with the senior squad.
The Italian Grand Prix runs from September 4–6, forming the 13th round of the 2026 championship. Madrid’s new Madring circuit hosts the following race from September 11–13, before the series heads to Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix later in the month.
Hadjar’s return date remains unconfirmed, leaving open the possibility that Lawson’s latest Red Bull opportunity could extend beyond Monza.
