Red Bull has reportedly been plunged into a late and potentially dramatic driver reshuffle ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, with Isack Hadjar set to miss the Zandvoort race after suffering a wrist injury in training.
However, Red Bull has yet to officially confirm Hadjar’s absence, meaning the situation remains subject to a final assessment before the team makes its decision.
According to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Hadjar sustained the injury during a gym session in the build-up to the race and is considered unlikely to be fit enough to compete.
Following the 21-year-old’s misfortune, Liam Lawson is expected to make a sensational return to Red Bull, stepping up from Racing Bulls to partner Max Verstappen.
The potential switch would revive one of the more remarkable chapters in Red Bull’s recent driver saga.
Lawson began 2025 as Verstappen’s team-mate after being promoted from Racing Bulls, only to be dropped after just two races and sent back to the junior outfit.
Yuki Tsunoda then moved into the vacant Red Bull seat, but the Japanese driver ultimately lost his place to Hadjar for 2026. Tsunoda has remained within the Red Bull stable as a reserve driver and would most likely fill Lawson’s seat for this weekend’s event.
Neither of those moves has been confirmed by Red Bull.
Hadjar’s reported injury could hardly come at a worse moment. The Frenchman has impressed during his breakthrough Red Bull campaign and is widely expected to remain alongside Verstappen in 2027. Zandvoort also holds special significance for him, having claimed a surprise podium at the circuit last year.
For Lawson, meanwhile, the venue carries an extraordinary sense of déjà vu.
It was at Zandvoort in 2023 that he made his F1 debut after Daniel Ricciardo suffered a broken wrist in practice. Lawson was thrust into the AlphaTauri cockpit at short notice and went on to contest five races.
Now, three years later, another wrist injury could potentially trigger another unexpected Lawson opportunity – this time placing him back alongside Verstappen at Red Bull.
For now, though, Hadjar’s participation remains officially unresolved.
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