Liam Lawson will compete for Red Bull Racing at the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend, stepping in for Isack Hadjar. Hadjar has been sidelined from the Zandvoort event after sustaining a wrist injury during the Formula 1 summer shutdown. The announcement confirms Lawson’s return to the senior Red Bull team.
Isack Hadjar, a full-time Red Bull Racing driver for the 2026 season, suffered the injury during a training session. He currently holds eighth position in the drivers’ standings with 68 points. Hadjar had maintained a consistent run, securing points in his last seven Grands Prix.
Lawson is currently a driver for Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, where he partners Arvid Lindblad. He sits ninth in the 2026 drivers’ championship with 43 points. This places him as the highest-ranked driver outside the top four constructors.
This marks Lawson’s second opportunity with the main Red Bull team. He previously had a two-race stint at the beginning of the 2025 season, replacing Sergio Pérez. Following those races, he was demoted back to Racing Bulls.
Lawson’s Formula 1 debut also occurred at the Dutch Grand Prix in 2023. On that occasion, he substituted for an injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri. This weekend’s event at Circuit Zandvoort is the 12th round of the 2026 season.
Lawson has acknowledged the challenge of adapting to the Red Bull car on short notice. He noted that driving the Red Bull will feel ‘very foreign’ to him. The Sprint weekend format allows only one practice session before qualifying.
Yuki Tsunoda will fill Lawson’s vacant seat at Visa Cash App Racing Bulls for the Dutch Grand Prix. Tsunoda, who serves as a reserve driver for both Red Bull teams, will race alongside Arvid Lindblad.
Tsunoda lost his full-time Red Bull Racing seat to Hadjar at the conclusion of the 2025 season. He has since been linked with a potential move to IndyCar in the future.
