News summary
- Isack Hadjar will miss the 2026 Italian GP, with Red Bull opting not to rush his recovery from a wrist injury.
- Liam Lawson will remain alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, repeating his role from the Dutch GP at Zandvoort.
- Yuki Tsunoda will continue at Racing Bulls, maintaining the same driver shuffle used at the previous round.
Red Bull has confirmed that Liam Lawson will remain Isack Hadjar’s replacement for the Italian GP at Monza. In a statement issued Wednesday (September 2), the team said it is closely monitoring the French driver’s recovery and does not want to take unnecessary risks with his return. Yuki Tsunoda will consequently remain with Racing Bulls.
“Liam Lawson will drive alongside Max Verstappen at the Italian GP in Monza, while Isack Hadjar continues to make encouraging progress following the wrist injury he suffered during the summer break. The team is closely monitoring his recovery, will not take unnecessary risks with his return to competition and wishes Isack a speedy recovery,” Red Bull said.
Hadjar initially hoped to return at Monza after missing the Dutch GP, but Red Bull ultimately decided that allowing the Frenchman more time to recover was the safest option. The team had previously planned a final medical evaluation before making the decision, with Lawson kept on standby in case Hadjar was not cleared.
The decision means Lawson will get another opportunity to race the RB22 alongside Verstappen. The New Zealander performed strongly at Zandvoort, finishing seventh after being called up at short notice. He had previously described the Red Bull opportunity as an important chance to prove himself with the senior team.
The arrangement also means that Tsunoda will remain in the Racing Bulls seat vacated by Lawson, once again partnering Arvid Lindblad. The same reshuffle was used at Zandvoort, when Hadjar’s injury forced Red Bull and Racing Bulls to reorganize their lineups at short notice.
Hadjar’s injury occurred during the Formula 1 summer break. The Frenchman suffered a wrist fracture during a training session, which eventually ruled him out of the Dutch GP. He subsequently consulted MotoGP champion Marc Márquez, who advised him against taking unnecessary risks with his recovery.
For Red Bull, keeping Lawson in the car also provides continuity after his impressive seventh-place finish at Zandvoort. The New Zealander will now have another full weekend to adapt to the RB22 and fight for points alongside Verstappen.
The Italian GP will be particularly important for the championship battle, with Monza’s high-speed layout placing a premium on straight-line efficiency and power-unit performance. The Italian GP 2026 schedule and session times show that the weekend runs from September 4 to 6, with the race starting at 3:00 p.m. local time on Sunday.
The 2026 Formula 1 season returns this weekend at Monza for Round 13. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action from the Italian GP.
FAQ
1. Why is Isack Hadjar missing the Italian GP?
Hadjar is still recovering from a wrist injury suffered during the Formula 1 summer break. Red Bull decided not to rush his return and opted for a more cautious approach.
2. Who is replacing Isack Hadjar at Red Bull in Monza?
Liam Lawson will remain alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull. The New Zealander also replaced Hadjar at the Dutch GP, where he finished seventh.
3. Why is Yuki Tsunoda staying at Racing Bulls?
When Lawson moves from Racing Bulls to the senior Red Bull team, Tsunoda takes the vacant Racing Bulls seat alongside Arvid Lindblad. The same driver rotation was used at Zandvoort.
