Liam Lawson to replace injured Isack Hadjar at Red Bull for Madrid Grand Prix

Sidelined for third consecutive race

Oracle Red Bull Racing confirmed on Monday, 7 September 2026, that French driver Isack Hadjar will miss the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix. The 21-year-old driver, who turns 22 at the end of September, is recovering from a left wrist injury sustained during training during the Formula 1 summer break in August. Madrid is the third consecutive round Hadjar will miss, following absences at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort and the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Although medical clearance has not yet been granted for him to return to the cockpit, Hadjar will travel to Madrid to support the team from the garage throughout the race weekend.

Driver lineup across Red Bull teams

New Zealander Liam Lawson will continue to substitute in the Red Bull cockpit alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen. Lawson previously took the wheel for the Austrian squad at Zandvoort, finishing seventh, and at Monza, where he finished in 14th place. Lawson's extended stint at Red Bull keeps Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda in the cockpit at sister team Racing Bulls. Tsunoda stepped up from his reserve driver role to partner British rookie Arvid Lindblad, securing a tenth-place finish at Monza on Sunday to earn a championship point. Both squads under the Red Bull banner will maintain identical driver pairings for the upcoming race in Madrid.

Red Bull addressed the driver situation in an official statement released on Monday following the race at Monza.

This decision has been taken as Isack's recovery continues to progress positively. While he is not yet ready to return to the cockpit, he will be in Madrid supporting the team.

Hadjar's championship standing and recovery

Hadjar accumulated 71 points before his injury, putting together a streak of seven consecutive top-six finishes. His season includes a third-place podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix, which was restored after the FIA International Court of Appeal reimposed penalties on Alpine driver Pierre Gasly. Hadjar sits in seventh or eighth position in the world championship standings, depending on the source. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies stated during the Italian Grand Prix weekend that the team would not rush Hadjar back into competition, emphasizing the importance of returning at full physical fitness.

Debut of the Madrid street circuit

The Spanish Grand Prix weekend brings a new venue to the Formula 1 schedule as racing shifts to The Madring street circuit in Madrid. The street circuit makes its championship debut, taking over hosting duties from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The event presents a fresh challenge for all 20 drivers on the grid. For Lawson, the weekend provides another opportunity to compete in the front-running car alongside Verstappen, who took third place at Monza. Tsunoda and Lindblad will continue their partnership at Racing Bulls as the team looks to score on the new Spanish track.