News summary
- Liam Lawson says a “much greater understanding of the car” will be his main advantage at the Italian GP, his second race replacing Isack Hadjar in the 2026 F1 season.
- The New Zealander arrives at Monza with valuable references from Zandvoort, where he completed a full weekend with Red Bull, including the Sprint format.
- Lawson expects a different challenge in Italy, with Monza’s high-speed characteristics requiring the Red Bull driver to adapt to a new set of demands.
Liam Lawson highlighted his “much greater understanding of the car” as his main advantage for the Italian GP with Red Bull, in his second race replacing Isack Hadjar during the 2026 Formula 1 season. The New Zealander said he arrives at Monza with important references after the Dutch GP weekend, although he recognizes the differences between the two circuits.
In a statement released by Red Bull, Lawson emphasized the importance of having competed at the Dutch GP and pointed out that the Sprint format also allowed him to increase his understanding of the car in a short period of time. However, the driver expects a different scenario in Italy, particularly because of Monza’s characteristics.
“It’s good to know that Isack is recovering well and will be back in the car soon, but it’s great to have another weekend with the team. Zandvoort gave me a very useful first reference with the car, and having gone through a Sprint weekend means I arrive at Monza with a much greater understanding of the car. It’s a completely different track and there will be new challenges, but I’m looking forward to continuing the work from last weekend and seeing what we can achieve,” Lawson said.
Hadjar showed improvement in his medical examinations, according to British outlet RacingNews365, but has yet to receive clearance to return to the grid this weekend. As a result, Lawson will once again have the opportunity to work alongside Max Verstappen and continue the spell that began at Zandvoort.
The New Zealand driver also arrives at the Italian weekend in strong form this season. Racing for Racing Bulls, Lawson finished sixth at the Monaco and British Grands Prix, as well as seventh at the races in China, Canada and the Netherlands. He currently sits ninth in the Drivers’ Championship with 49 points.
Lawson will therefore have another opportunity to demonstrate what he can do with Red Bull as the team evaluates its options for the remainder of the season. His second consecutive weekend alongside Verstappen should also provide a clearer benchmark of his performance compared with his first appearance in the RB22.
The Formula 1 season returns this weekend, from September 4 to 6, at Monza. Check the Italian GP 2026 schedule and full session times for all the details. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action from the Italian GP, the 13th round of the 2026 season.
FAQ
1. Why is Liam Lawson replacing Isack Hadjar at the Italian GP?
Lawson is replacing Hadjar because the Red Bull driver has not yet been cleared to return to competition after suffering a wrist injury. Lawson already replaced him at the Dutch GP.
2. What advantage does Lawson have at Monza?
Lawson believes his biggest advantage is a better understanding of Red Bull’s car after completing the Zandvoort weekend, including the additional track time provided by the Sprint format.
3. How has Lawson performed in the 2026 F1 season?
Lawson has been consistent with Racing Bulls, recording sixth-place finishes in Monaco and Great Britain and seventh-place results in China, Canada and the Netherlands. He currently has 49 points and is ninth in the Drivers’ Championship.
