Isack Hadjar Fractured His Wrist Punching a “Heavy Bag,” Forcing Him to Miss the Dutch GP

It was announced yesterday that Red Bull Racing driver Isack Hadjar would miss the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix due to a wrist injury. Now, though, the cause of that injury has surfaced.

F1 returns to the race tracks this weekend after the summer break, but Red Bull’s second half of the season has not gotten off to a positive start due to the absence of one of its drivers. Moreover, there is no guarantee that Hadjar will be ready to race in the following round, the Italian GP, scheduled for September 6.

Red Bull has introduced changes to its driver lineup for the Dutch GP, with Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson taking Hadjar’s seat, while Red Bull reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda will take Lawson’s seat in the junior team. In a strange coincidence, Lawson replaced former Racing Bulls driver Daniel Ricciardo in the 2023 season after Ricciardo suffered a wrist injury in a crash during the second practice session of the Dutch GP.

May 2, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Red Bull Racing driver Isack Hadjar (6) arrives to the paddock area at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

News about Hadjar’s injury spread like wildfire, but the nature of the injury and the circumstances that led to it were not revealed. Now, though, Sky Sports F1 reporter Craig Slater has an update. He said:

“He includes boxing as part of his training; he did boxing as a child growing up, and he has fractured his wrist punching a heavy bag in the gym. A bag filled with sand.

“So he’s out this weekend. He will be replaced by Liam Lawson. This is a really strange one.”

Addressing the driver switch this weekend at Zandvoort, Red Bull stated:

“Oracle Red Bull Racing driver, Isack Hadjar, has sustained a wrist injury during summer shutdown that will prevent him from racing at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. We will be welcoming back Liam Lawson who will replace him in RB22 this weekend. The Team wishes Isack a speedy recovery and thanks Liam for stepping in on short notice.”

Racing Bulls said:

“Visa Cash App Racing Bulls can confirm that Liam Lawson will race for Oracle Red Bull Racing at the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend due to Isack Hadjar’s wrist injury.

“As a result of the driver change, Reserve Driver Yuki Tsunoda, will race for Racing Bulls in Zandvoort this weekend, alongside Arvid Lindblad. We thank both Liam and Yuki for their adaptability as the teams prepare for the weekend and we wish Isack a speedy recovery.”