Confirmed
Hadjar to miss Italian GP due to wrist injury
Red Bull Racing confirmed Isack Hadjar will miss the Italian Grand Prix, with Liam Lawson continuing as his substitute.
Isack Hadjar will not compete in the upcoming Italian Grand Prix, marking his second consecutive absence from the Formula 1 grid, as Red Bull Racing officially confirmed the decision. This development means Hadjar, currently sitting eighth in the drivers' standings with 68 points, continues to recover from a wrist injury sustained during the summer break, and Liam Lawson is expected to substitute for him once again.
Hadjar’s Recovery Progress
Red Bull Racing issued a statement, as reported by RaceFans, indicating that Hadjar is making "encouraging progress following the wrist injury sustained during the summer break" more than two weeks ago. Despite this positive update, the team explicitly stated its intention to "take no unnecessary risks with his return to competition," underscoring a cautious approach to his recovery process. The team extended wishes for a swift and complete recovery, highlighting their priority for the driver's long-term health over immediate competitive return. This conservative stance suggests Red Bull is allowing ample time for Hadjar's wrist to heal fully before placing him back in the high-stress environment of Formula 1 racing, particularly important as the 2026 season enters its crucial final stages with four rounds remaining after the Italian Grand Prix. The next F1 round, the Italian GP, will see its first session on Friday, September 4th, at 13:30 Finnish time.
Lawson’s Continued Role
With Hadjar sidelined, Liam Lawson is set to continue his tenure as a substitute driver, according to RaceFans, filling the vacant seat for Racing Bulls, the sister team to Red Bull Racing. This will be Lawson’s second consecutive appearance, following his participation in the recent Dutch Grand Prix. Lawson’s extended opportunity provides him with additional crucial experience in Formula 1 machinery, allowing him to demonstrate his capabilities on one of the sport's most historic circuits, Monza. His previous outings have showcased a degree of adaptability, and this new assignment presents a further chance to solidify his position as a viable future contender in Formula 1.
Championship Implications and Driver Market
The ongoing absence of Hadjar, while not impacting the main Red Bull Racing team, affects Racing Bulls' constructors' championship points tally. While Hadjar holds a solid 68 points in the drivers' standings, his absence prevents him from adding to this total, potentially allowing competitors to close the gap. Currently, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing is sixth with 109 points, while George Russell of Mercedes sits third with 160 points. Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes leads the championship with 219 points after 12 rounds, securing six wins, with Lando Norris of McLaren and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes each having two wins and one win, respectively. Valtteri Bottas, the Finnish driver, is currently 21st in the F1 drivers' championship with 0 points, demonstrating a challenging season for him and his Kick Sauber team. The situation with Hadjar also indirectly influences the broader driver market, as Lawson’s continued presence allows him to further audition for a permanent seat, potentially impacting future team compositions within the Red Bull family. This period is a critical evaluation time for various young talents.
Status And Sources
This story is labelled Confirmed, which means the people involved have said this on the record. The rules behind those labels are in the editorial policy, and the desk that published it is Eero Lahtinen.
Written from the following reporting. Each link goes to the newsroom's own page, not to an aggregator:
- RaceFansracefans.net
