Liam Lawson Steps In Again as Hadjar Misses Italian Grand Prix

Red Bull will arrive at Monza with another enforced driver reshuffle, as Isack Hadjar misses a second consecutive race while he recovers from a wrist injury.

The 21-year-old Frenchman sat out last month’s Dutch Grand Prix and will also miss this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. Liam Lawson, who normally races for Racing Bulls, will again step into the senior Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen.

It is a cautious call from Red Bull, but a sensible one. Monza is one of Formula 1’s fastest and most physically demanding circuits, especially under braking. A wrist injury might sound small compared with the forces drivers face elsewhere, but in a modern F1 car, grip strength, steering feel and reaction control matter every lap.

Monza’s speed makes full fitness especially important for drivers.

Red Bull are avoiding a rushed return for Hadjar

Hadjar’s injury came during the summer, when he broke his wrist while boxing. Red Bull said on Wednesday that he was making encouraging progress, but the team also made clear that it would not take any unnecessary risks with his return.

That wording matters. Teams often face pressure to get a race driver back quickly, especially when championship points are at stake. In this case, Red Bull appear to be taking a longer view.

A driver returning too early could struggle with:

• Heavy braking zones

• Rapid steering corrections

• Kerb strikes

• Race-length fatigue

• Emergency avoidance moves

  
  

Monza places a premium on confidence under braking. Drivers arrive at the first chicane at huge speed, then ask the car and their body to cope with sudden deceleration. If a wrist is not fully ready, even a small loss of strength or precision can become costly.

Hadjar’s absence also raises the question of when he might be fit to return. Red Bull have not given a firm comeback date, which suggests the decision will depend on medical checks and how well he can handle simulator work before getting back into the car.

Lawson gets another chance in the senior seat

For Lawson, this is a significant opportunity. The New Zealander will race alongside Verstappen for the second weekend in a row after finishing seventh last time out.

That result gave Red Bull a solid return from a substitute driver. It also gave Lawson valuable time in a car he does not usually race. Even for experienced drivers, switching between teams inside the same wider organisation is not simple. Steering-wheel settings, brake feel, balance preferences and race procedures can all differ.

Lawson’s task at Monza is clear. He does not need to outshine Verstappen. He needs to deliver a clean weekend, stay close enough to support Red Bull’s strategy, and score if the car has the pace.

That is easier said than done at Monza. The circuit can punish small mistakes. Track limits, slipstream timing and qualifying traffic often shape the weekend before race pace becomes the main story.

Lawson’s second appearance will test precision as much as speed.

Tsunoda fills the gap at Racing Bulls again

Lawson’s move to Red Bull leaves his Racing Bulls seat open, and Yuki Tsunoda will again step in as reserve driver.

This kind of shuffle shows the value of depth across Red Bull’s driver pool. A single injury can affect both teams, and the response has to be quick. The replacement driver needs to know the systems, understand the team’s operating style and be ready to handle a race weekend with limited build-up.

Tsunoda’s role is not just to keep the seat warm. Racing Bulls still need clean sessions, useful feedback and a car brought home in one piece. Every lap of practice can feed into set-up choices, tyre plans and race preparation.

For Red Bull, the wider benefit is continuity. Hadjar can recover without pressure, Lawson can cover the senior team, and Racing Bulls still have a known driver available.

The downside is disruption. Engineers build rhythm with their regular drivers over time. Change the driver, and the feedback loop changes too. Even when the replacement is quick, the team must adjust how it interprets comments on balance, braking stability and tyre behaviour.

Monza will expose any weakness

Monza is often described as simple because it has fewer corners than many Formula 1 circuits. That can be misleading. The Italian Grand Prix is a high-speed test of efficiency, braking and nerve.

Cars run low downforce to gain speed on the straights. That makes them more nervous through the chicanes and less planted under braking. Drivers need confidence to attack kerbs, but too much aggression can unsettle the car.

That matters for Lawson because he is stepping into a demanding situation with limited time to settle. It matters for Verstappen because Red Bull will want both cars working towards the same competitive aim. It matters for Hadjar because this is exactly the kind of circuit where half-fitness would not be enough.

The Italian Grand Prix rewards speed, braking control and confidence.

Red Bull’s position in the constructors’ championship adds another layer. The team are fourth in the standings, behind Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren. That means lost points hurt, especially during weekends when rivals are expected to be strong.

Ferrari traditionally draw huge support at Monza, while Mercedes and McLaren have both been ahead of Red Bull in the standings. Red Bull need stability, and driver changes do not usually help with that. Still, pushing Hadjar back too soon could create a bigger problem later.

Red Bull’s short-term fix is also a longer-term test

This weekend is not only about covering for an injured driver. It is also another look at how Lawson performs under pressure in a senior Red Bull seat.

Substitute appearances can shape reputations quickly. A clean, points-scoring weekend would strengthen Lawson’s case as a dependable option. A messy one would remind everyone how hard it is to jump into a different environment and perform straight away.

For Hadjar, the priority is simpler. He needs to return when he can race without compromise. Wrist injuries are awkward for racing drivers because the demands are constant. Every lap brings braking forces, steering loads and vibration through the wheel.

Red Bull’s reshuffle gives Lawson another chance while Hadjar recovers.

The Italian Grand Prix now becomes a balancing act for Red Bull. They need Lawson to deliver immediately, Tsunoda to keep Racing Bulls steady, and Hadjar to continue his recovery without being rushed.

The headline is a driver swap, but the bigger story is risk management. Red Bull are choosing patience with Hadjar, trust in Lawson, and continuity through Tsunoda. At Monza, where speed leaves little room for weakness, that may be the only sensible play.