Isack Hadjar is increasingly likely to miss this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix after reportedly suffering a wrist injury, potentially triggering a dramatic driver reshuffle across Red Bull’s two Formula 1 teams.
Liam Lawson is understood to be in line to replace Hadjar alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda could return to Racing Bulls in Lawson’s place.
However, Red Bull has not officially confirmed the changes. Hadjar is reportedly awaiting a final medical assessment before a definitive decision is made on his participation at Zandvoort.
Hadjar’s Dutch GP participation in serious doubt
Dutch newspaper De Limburger reports that Hadjar is almost certain to miss the event because of a wrist injury sustained before the race weekend.
RacingNews365 has also reported that the French driver is likely to be sidelined but says the final decision remains subject to one last medical check.
That distinction is important. Hadjar has not been formally ruled out at the time of publication, and Red Bull has yet to announce a replacement line-up.
The team must therefore wait for the medical assessment before confirming whether Hadjar can safely drive the RB22 around one of Formula 1’s most physically demanding circuits.
Liam Lawson poised for unexpected Red Bull return
If Hadjar cannot compete, Lawson is expected to move from Racing Bulls to partner Verstappen for the Dutch Grand Prix.
It would be a remarkable return to the senior team for the New Zealander, whose first Red Bull opportunity ended after only the opening two rounds of the 2025 season.
Lawson was moved back to Racing Bulls after a difficult start to that campaign, with Tsunoda promoted in the opposite direction. Hadjar ultimately secured the Red Bull seat for 2026, while Tsunoda remained within the organisation as a reserve driver.
The reported Zandvoort reshuffle would therefore give Lawson another opportunity with Red Bull while bringing Tsunoda back onto the Formula 1 grid with Racing Bulls.
Formula 1’s official guide to the 2026 reserve drivers confirms that Tsunoda serves as a reserve for both Red Bull teams, making him the natural option if Lawson changes garages.
Why the Sprint format increases the pressure
The timing of Hadjar’s injury is particularly difficult because Zandvoort will host its first Sprint weekend.
As explained in Tech Torque Media’s Dutch Grand Prix preview, teams will have only one practice session before Sprint Qualifying begins on Friday afternoon.
That gives any replacement driver very little opportunity to adjust to a different car, seating position, steering-wheel configuration and set of engineering procedures.
Lawson’s familiarity with the wider Red Bull organisation would help, but the Red Bull and Racing Bulls cars remain distinct packages with different handling characteristics.
Zandvoort is also an unforgiving venue for a last-minute change. Its banking, rapid direction changes and narrow layout demand confidence from the opening laps, while the limited practice time leaves little room for a driver to build speed gradually.
Tech Torque Media’s analysis of Zandvoort’s demanding setup challenge explains why finding a stable baseline will be crucial during the compressed weekend.
Cruel timing for Hadjar
Missing Zandvoort would be particularly painful for Hadjar because the circuit is the scene of his breakthrough Formula 1 result.
Driving for Racing Bulls in 2025, Hadjar qualified fourth and went on to finish third, securing his maiden Formula 1 podium. That performance became one of the defining moments of his rookie season and helped strengthen his case for promotion to Red Bull.
The French driver was preparing to return with a special helmet inspired by that podium and the ceramic trophy that famously broke during the post-race celebrations.
Instead, he now faces the possibility of watching the final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort from the sidelines.
What happens next?
Hadjar’s medical assessment should determine whether the reported reshuffle becomes official.
If he is cleared to compete, Red Bull can continue with its planned Verstappen-Hadjar line-up. If he is ruled out, Lawson is expected to step into the senior team while Tsunoda joins Arvid Lindblad at Racing Bulls.
Confirmation will need to arrive quickly. Free Practice 1 begins on Friday, followed later that day by Sprint Qualifying.
Tech Torque Verdict
The evidence currently points towards Hadjar missing the Dutch Grand Prix, but the medical decision and team announcement remain outstanding.
Until those arrive, the situation should be treated as a likely withdrawal rather than a confirmed one.
Should the expected reshuffle happen, it will add another major storyline to an already significant Zandvoort weekend. Lawson would receive an unexpected second opportunity at Red Bull, Tsunoda would return to competitive Formula 1 action and Hadjar would miss the circuit where his Red Bull journey truly began.
