MILTON KEYNES, England (AP) — In a significant update for the Red Bull Racing team, Liam Lawson will retain his position as Max Verstappen's teammate for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix. This decision comes after Isack Hadjar was unable to recover from his wrist injury in time for the race, as confirmed by the team on Wednesday.
Hadjar had expressed optimism about his return for the race at Monza, but he will now miss a second consecutive event due to his ongoing recovery process. The injury, sustained during a boxing workout prior to the Dutch Grand Prix, has kept him from competing since the last race, where he was forced to watch from the sidelines.
With Hadjar out, Lawson will continue to fill his seat at Red Bull, while Yuki Tsunoda will also have another opportunity to race, taking Lawson's usual place with the Racing Bulls. Red Bull announced through their social media channels, “Liam will drive alongside Max at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, while Isack continues to make encouraging progress following the wrist injury sustained during the summer break.” The team emphasized their commitment to closely monitoring Hadjar's rehabilitation, ensuring they do not take any unnecessary risks with his return.
As for Hadjar, he had already missed the Dutch Grand Prix last month while wearing a wrist brace. In a candid moment shared with fans, he expressed his frustration at being unable to compete, stating, “It’s my first injury ever in my whole existence, career, whatever. It’s weird to be on the bench and I’m not happy about it.” Despite his disappointment, Hadjar noted some positive signs, mentioning that the swelling had subsided and he was gaining more mobility each day, which fueled his hopes for a return in the near future.
Lawson's performance has been commendable this season, as he currently sits ninth in the Formula 1 standings, just one position behind Hadjar, who has accumulated nearly double the points of rookie Arvid Lindblad from Racing Bulls. Lawson's strong showing has played a crucial role in his reinstatement to the Red Bull team after being dropped following just two races in 2025.
Looking ahead, there has been no official word on whether Hadjar will be fit to participate in the next race, the Spanish Grand Prix, scheduled for the following week. The Red Bull team will undoubtedly be eager to see Hadjar back in action, but they are prioritizing his health and recovery above all.
The Italian Grand Prix at Monza is set to be an exciting event, with Lawson and Verstappen aiming to secure valuable points for the team as they continue to compete for the championship. As the season progresses, the dynamics within the Red Bull team will be closely watched, especially with the potential return of Hadjar on the horizon.
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