F1 fans, buckle up—because the Dutch Grand Prix just served up a major curveball that’s got everyone talking. Liam Lawson is back in the Red Bull family this weekend, stepping in for an injured teammate, but the latest buzz suggests his time in the spotlight might be over before the checkered flag even flies.
According to reports, Isack Hadjar—the driver Lawson replaced—suffered a small crack in a wrist bone while working out during the summer break. That injury forced the team to pull him from this weekend’s sprint-heavy event at Zandvoort, with Lawson jumping into the cockpit at the last minute.
But here’s the twist: Sky Sports reports that Hadjar is “hopeful” of being ready to race again at the Italian Grand Prix in just two weeks. That means Lawson’s pseudo-promotion could be a one-and-done deal, with Yuki Tsunoda’s return to the grid also reportedly lasting only this single race.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies told Sky Germany the team is playing it safe. “He will be here later, but he won’t be racing,” Mekies said of Hadjar. “We don’t want to take any risks, so he’s taking a break from this race.”
When asked if the Dutch GP would be the only race Hadjar misses, Mekies added, “It’s too early to talk about that. But our goal is for him to be back in the cockpit at the next race in Monza.”
Lawson, for his part, held his own in the unfamiliar car during sprint qualifying, losing only a few tenths to Max Verstappen. But the tight Zandvoort track made passing nearly impossible in the sprint race, leaving him stuck in the pack.
So what happens next? Will Hadjar’s wrist heal in time for Monza, or could Lawson get another shot? One thing’s for sure—this F1 driver shuffle is far from over.
