Formula 1's return from its summer break has come with a twist nobody saw scripted. Isack Hadjar, Red Bull's breakout rookie of the season, will not race at this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix. In his place, two drivers who thought their 2026 seat assignments were settled have been shuffled across the grid.
Red Bull Racing confirmed that Hadjar sustained a wrist injury during the summer shutdown, ruling him out of Zandvoort. Liam Lawson steps up from Racing Bulls to partner Max Verstappen for the weekend. And in a genuine surprise, reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda returns to a race seat at Racing Bulls, filling the gap Lawson leaves behind.
How the Injury Happened
Hadjar picked up the injury away from the track entirely. According to Sky Sports F1's Craig Slater, the Frenchman fractured his wrist while boxing during a training session, punching a sand-filled heavy bag as part of his regular fitness routine. Hadjar has spoken before about growing up with boxing and naming Muhammad Ali among the athletes he admires most.
Red Bull's official statement kept it brief: "Oracle Red Bull Racing driver, Isack Hadjar, has sustained a wrist injury during summer shutdown that will prevent him from racing at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. We will be welcoming back Liam Lawson who will replace him in RB22 this weekend."
The good news for Hadjar is the timeline. Reports indicate it's a minor fracture, and he is expected to be fit again in time for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 6, giving him roughly two weeks to recover.
A Tough Break at the Wrong Moment
The timing stings. Hadjar has been the standout story of Red Bull's rookie class this season, sitting eighth in the drivers' championship on the back of seven straight points finishes, including a season-best fourth place in Monaco. Missing Zandvoort breaks that run at the exact venue where he took his maiden F1 podium last year, finishing third for Racing Bulls.
Why Lawson, Not Lindblad
Racing Bulls had two options to fill Hadjar's seat: Liam Lawson or rookie Arvid Lindblad, who has also impressed in his debut campaign. The team went with experience. Lawson has scored points in all but three races this season and sits just one place behind Hadjar in the standings.
There's a layer of déjà vu here too. Lawson's first-ever F1 start came at this same circuit back in 2023, when he substituted for an injured Daniel Ricciardo — who had also broken his hand in a practice crash at Zandvoort that year.
Tsunoda's Unexpected Second Chance
The most eye-catching part of this reshuffle is Tsunoda's return. He lost his full-time Red Bull seat at the end of last season and was moved into a combined test and reserve role for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls. This weekend, he steps back into a race seat at Racing Bulls, lining up alongside rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad.
Racing Bulls confirmed the move in a statement: "As a result of the driver change, Reserve Driver Yuki Tsunoda, will race for Racing Bulls in Zandvoort this weekend, alongside Arvid Lindblad. We thank both Liam and Yuki for their adaptability as the teams prepare for the weekend and we wish Isack a speedy recovery."
Following the announcement, Hadjar and Tsunoda exchanged a brief, warm exchange on social media, with Tsunoda wishing his teammate a speedy recovery.
What to Watch This Weekend
Zandvoort adds an extra layer of pressure, since it's also Max Verstappen's home race. With Lawson stepping into the second Red Bull seat and Tsunoda getting a rare shot to prove himself in front of the team that let him go, the Dutch Grand Prix now carries storylines well beyond the usual title fight at the front of the grid.
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