A Mid-Season Shakeup at Zandvoort
Red Bull Racing is facing a significant driver reshuffle ahead of the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix as rookie Isack Hadjar is reportedly set to miss the event due to a wrist injury. According to reports from De Telegraaf and De Limburger, the injury was sustained during a gym session over the Formula 1 summer break, casting doubt on his ability to compete at Zandvoort.
While a final decision remains subject to a concluding medical assessment, the team is preparing for a contingency plan that would see Liam Lawson promoted from the Racing Bulls (VCARB) squad to the senior Red Bull Racing team. Should this move be confirmed, Lawson would partner four-time World Champion Max Verstappen for the weekend.
This report draws on information published by racingnews365.com and motorbiscuit.com.
The Return of Yuki Tsunoda
The potential promotion of Lawson leaves a vacancy at the sister team, which Red Bull intends to fill with a familiar face. Yuki Tsunoda, who was released from the Red Bull family at the end of the 2025 season, is reportedly set to make an unexpected return to the grid as a substitute driver for VCARB. Tsunoda has remained within the team’s orbit throughout the 2026 campaign, serving as a reserve driver and maintaining a consistent presence at trackside events.
This development mirrors the events of the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, when Daniel Ricciardo suffered a metacarpal fracture during a practice session, subsequently opening the door for Lawson to make his own high-pressure entry into the sport. For Lawson, who has demonstrated consistent form with eight point-scoring finishes this season, the weekend represents a critical opportunity to prove his readiness for a permanent seat in the senior team.
Stakes for the Red Bull Hierarchy
For Hadjar, the injury comes at a difficult point in his rookie season, where he has been working to solidify his standing within the Red Bull program. If confirmed as absent, the Frenchman will have a two-week window to recover before the championship resumes at Monza. The team’s decision to call upon the experienced Tsunoda rather than an external reserve highlights the internal stability Red Bull seeks to maintain during this unexpected mid-season transition.