Red Bull expects Hadjar return in Italy following precautionary Zandvoort exit

Key takeaways

• Precautionary absence: Isack Hadjar’s withdrawal from the Dutch Grand Prix is a temporary safety measure following a minor wrist hairline fracture sustained in a routine boxing gym workout.
• Expected Monza return: With a two-week break following Zandvoort, Hadjar is targeted to return for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 4–6.
• Márquez’s influence: Hadjar decided to withdraw after consulting Marc Márquez, who recommended prioritizing full recovery over immediate competition risks.

Isack Hadjar was forced to sit out the Dutch Grand Prix due to a wrist injury, but his absence from the Red Bull RB22 is not expected to extend beyond Zandvoort. With Formula 1 taking a two-week gap before heading to Monza, Red Bull expects the rookie driver to resume his race seat for the Italian Grand Prix from September 4–6.

According to Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater, Hadjar sustained a minor hairline fracture during a standard gym session during the summer break. The decision to skip Zandvoort was taken purely as a precaution to prevent further inflammation or damage.

“It is understood the injury occurred late last week during a routine training session. He wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary—he works with pads, boxing, and heavy bags as part of his regular fitness regimen, but felt no immediate pain during the session. He noticed soreness the following morning and consulted medical specialists,” Slater reported.

“It is a minor injury, a hairline crack. They consulted the team doctor and a hand specialist. The decision not to race this weekend is a precaution to ensure it doesn’t deteriorate. From what I understand, if all goes well, the expectation is for him to be back in the car for Monza,” Slater added.

Hadjar initially considered driving through the discomfort in Zandvoort. However, after seeking advice from eight-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Márquez, who advised against unnecessary physical risks, Hadjar opted to focus on full recovery.

To cover Hadjar’s absence, Red Bull recalled Liam Lawson to step into the senior team, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda filled Lawson’s vacant seat at Racing Bulls alongside Arvid Lindblad.

Formula 1 action continues at Zandvoort with Sprint Qualifying for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. GRANDE PRÊMIO covers all the track action live from Zandvoort with reporter Leonid Kliuev. Follow all paddock updates on our news page.

Red Bull driver lineup changes for Zandvoort

Session schedule: Dutch Grand Prix 2026