Lawson Replaces Hadjar at Red Bull for Dutch GP

Liam Lawson will step in for an injured Isack Hadjar at the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend, marking a surprise return to the Red Bull Racing cockpit for the New Zealander. Lawson learned of the switch on Monday after landing in the UK following the Formula 1 summer break. He was called by Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane and informed that Hadjar had sustained a wrist injury during training, requiring Lawson to immediately shift his focus from preparing for Racing Bulls to joining the senior Red Bull team at Zandvoort.

The change triggered a rapid reshuffling of driver lineups. Yuki Tsunoda was summoned from his holiday to fill Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls, while rookie Arvid Lindblad, Lawson’s teammate, remains with the sister team. Lawson spent Tuesday undergoing seat fittings and conducting a full day of simulator work at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes base before traveling to the Netherlands on Wednesday. He will partner Max Verstappen in the RB22 for the sprint weekend.

The situation echoes Lawson’s Formula 1 debut in 2023, which also occurred at Zandvoort when Daniel Ricciardo suffered a hand injury. Lawson, now 24, acknowledges the similarities but emphasizes his growth...