Red Bull Racing is facing an unexpected driver dilemma ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, with growing concern over Isack Hadjar’s wrist injury and Liam Lawson now being prepared to step in again if necessary.
Hadjar was forced to miss the Dutch Grand Prix after suffering a fractured wrist during a boxing training session over Formula 1’s summer break. The injury came at an unfortunate time for the Racing Bulls driver, who had been establishing himself as an important part of Red Bull’s wider driver programme. While Hadjar had hoped to return quickly, the latest developments suggest Red Bull is unwilling to take unnecessary risks with his recovery.
RED BULL TAKES NO CHANCES WITH HADJAR
The biggest concern is not simply whether Hadjar can physically return for the Italian Grand Prix, but whether his wrist can withstand the demands of driving a modern Formula 1 car.
Monza is particularly demanding because of its high-speed nature and heavy braking zones. The circuit’s fast corners and repeated direction changes place considerable physical demands on drivers, making a premature return potentially dangerous.
For Red Bull, rushing Hadjar back only for him to aggravate the injury could turn a short absence into a much longer one. That is why the team appears prepared to give itself every possible option before making a final decision.
LIAM LAWSON HAS ALREADY PUT HIMSELF IN POSITION
Lawson unexpectedly found himself back in a Red Bull race seat at Zandvoort after being called upon to replace Hadjar.
The New Zealander made the opportunity count, finishing seventh at the Dutch Grand Prix and collecting six points. Even more impressively, he finished ahead of Red Bull’s own Max Verstappen, who suffered an early retirement after crashing in difficult conditions.
That result has given Lawson considerably more momentum than he had before the weekend.
Red Bull has therefore decided to keep Lawson with the senior team during preparations for Monza. The arrangement allows him to train and prepare as though he will race, ensuring that he is ready if Hadjar is ultimately ruled out.
THE BIG DECISION COULD COME LATE
Importantly, this does not mean Hadjar has officially been ruled out of the Italian Grand Prix.
The decision remains dependent on his recovery and medical assessment. If the Frenchman is declared fit, he is expected to reclaim his Racing Bulls seat. But Red Bull’s preparations indicate that the team is taking the possibility of another Lawson appearance seriously.
The situation could become even more complicated because the Madrid race follows Monza closely on the 2026 calendar. If Hadjar’s recovery takes longer than expected, Red Bull could potentially face a decision extending beyond a single Grand Prix.
HADJAR’S HEALTH MUST COME FIRST
There is little incentive for Red Bull to gamble with Hadjar’s recovery.
The young driver is not currently fighting for the Drivers’ Championship, while Racing Bulls are not involved in the Constructors’ Championship battle at the sharp end. That gives the team considerably more freedom to prioritise his long-term fitness.
A rushed comeback could have the opposite effect. If Hadjar returns before his wrist is ready and suffers another setback, he could potentially miss several additional races.
That makes patience the logical approach.
LAWSON’S COMEBACK HAS SUDDENLY BECOME INTERESTING
For Lawson, however, the situation represents another significant opportunity.
His previous promotion to Red Bull’s senior team in 2025 ended after only two races before he was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda. At the time, the decision appeared to represent a major setback for his career.
Now, circumstances have handed him another chance.
His seventh-place finish at Zandvoort has already delivered his first points for Red Bull’s senior team. If Hadjar is unable to return at Monza, Lawson will have another opportunity to prove that he belongs permanently among Formula 1’s top-level drivers.
The pressure will be enormous, but so will the potential reward.
RED BULL’S NEXT MOVE COULD SHAPE LAWSON’S FUTURE
What began as an emergency replacement situation could therefore develop into one of the most intriguing driver stories of the second half of the 2026 season.
Hadjar needs time to recover properly, while Lawson suddenly has something to prove. Red Bull, meanwhile, has to balance short-term competitiveness with the long-term development of both drivers.
For now, Lawson is being prepared for Monza while Hadjar continues his recovery. The final decision will depend on whether the Frenchman’s wrist is strong enough to handle the extreme demands of Formula 1.
One thing is already clear: Red Bull is not willing to gamble with Hadjar’s health, and Liam Lawson has positioned himself perfectly to take advantage if another opportunity comes his way.
THE BIGGER QUESTION
If Lawson delivers another strong performance should he get the call at Monza, Red Bull may suddenly have a much more complicated decision on its hands.
Hadjar remains the driver whose seat Lawson is temporarily occupying—but Lawson’s performance at Zandvoort has ensured that this is no longer simply about replacing an injured driver.
It is now about whether Lawson can turn an unexpected second chance into a genuine statement about his future in Formula 1.
