ISACK HADJAR TO MISS ITALIAN GRAND PRIX AS LAWSON STAYS AT RED BULL
Isack Hadjar will miss the Italian Grand Prix at Monza this weekend as he continues to recover from the wrist injury that forced him to withdraw from the Dutch Grand Prix. Red Bull confirmed on Wednesday that the French driver is not yet ready to return to competition.
Hadjar suffered the injury during the summer break and had initially hoped to be back in the car for Monza. However, Red Bull has decided not to take any risks with his recovery and will continue to monitor his progress. The team said that Hadjar is making encouraging progress but needs more time before returning to racing.
Liam Lawson will therefore remain alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull for a second consecutive weekend. Lawson replaced Hadjar at Zandvoort and finished seventh in the Dutch Grand Prix, scoring six points after Verstappen retired from the race.
Lawson’s second consecutive Red Bull appearance also creates an unusual situation for the New Zealander. Until the decision was confirmed on Wednesday, he had been preparing with both Red Bull and Racing Bulls because he did not know which car he would drive in Monza. He explained that the two cars have clear differences in balance, steering feedback and handling despite using the same Red Bull power unit.
Yuki Tsunoda will once again take Lawson’s place at Racing Bulls, partnering rookie Arvid Lindblad. Tsunoda, who is Red Bull’s official reserve driver, will therefore make his second consecutive race appearance with the sister team.
The driver changes mean the Red Bull family will have the same three-car rotation as at Zandvoort: Verstappen and Lawson at Red Bull, with Tsunoda and Lindblad representing Racing Bulls. Hadjar will instead continue his rehabilitation away from the track.
There is currently no confirmed date for Hadjar’s return. The team has made clear that his recovery will take priority and that he will not be brought back until he is ready to race without unnecessary risk.
Monza will therefore give Lawson another opportunity to show what he can do in the RB22. His seventh place at Zandvoort has already given him points in his first race back with Red Bull, and the Italian Grand Prix will provide another chance to compare his performance with Verstappen over a full weekend.
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