Hadjar skipped Dutch GP on Marquez advice over wrist injury

Red Bull Formula 1 driver Isack Hadjar has revealed that advice from MotoGP champion Marc Marquez was pivotal in his decision to withdraw from the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend due to a wrist injury. The Frenchman, who sustained a small break in his wrist during a boxing session in his training regimen over the summer break, initially intended to compete at Zandvoort but ultimately sat out the race after consulting with team principal Laurent Mekies and Marquez.

The 21-year-old driver reached out to the seven-time MotoGP world champion for guidance, as both share the same physiotherapist. Marquez, who is intimately familiar with the risks of returning from injury prematurely, advised Hadjar against racing. The Spaniard's own career was nearly ended by a severe arm fracture at the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, an injury that required four surgeries and years of recovery after he attempted to return too soon.

"Hadjar contacted me. I'm not a doctor, of course, but just for advice," Marquez explained. "Sometimes for a rider, or a driver in this case, it's super difficult because sometimes you feel that OK, maybe you can. But it's difficult to accept that, OK, I will skip this...