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Full Breakdown

Hadjar’s Wrist Injury Keeps Him Out of the Inaugural Madrid Grand Prix; Lawson Remains in Red Bull Seat

9/8/2026, 12:48:28 AM

Core Event: Driver Substitutions for the Spanish Grand Prix

Isack Hadjar will sit out the first Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit, marking his third consecutive race absence after the Dutch and Italian rounds. The French driver is still recovering from a hair-line fracture sustained in his wrist during a boxing workout in August. Red Bull will again field Liam Lawson alongside Max Verstappen, while Yuki Tsunoda continues to race for the sister team Racing Bulls, partnered with rookie Arvid Lindblad.

Isack Hadjar will miss the Spanish Grand Prix at Madring as Liam Lawson remains at Red Bull Isack Hadjar to miss Madrid F1 race as Tsunoda eyes future Isack Hadjar set to miss Spanish Grand Prix, Lawson steps in again

Background & Timeline

  • August (summer break): Hadjar fractures a wrist bone while training.
Hadjar (wrist) to miss Spanish GP as Lawson continues at Red Bull
  • Dutch Grand Prix (Zandvoort): Lawson replaces Hadjar for the first time.
Isack Hadjar set to miss Spanish Grand Prix, Lawson steps in again
  • Italian Grand Prix (Monza): Lawson again stands in for Hadjar; Tsunoda fills Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls.
Hadjar (wrist) to miss Spanish GP as Lawson continues at Red Bull

Data & Statistics

  • Races missed by Hadjar: Three (Dutch, Italian, Spanish).
Hadjar (wrist) to miss Spanish GP as Lawson continues at Red Bull
  • Points earned by Lawson in Zandvoort: Six points after qualifying eighth and finishing in the points.
Isack Hadjar set to miss Spanish Grand Prix, Lawson steps in again
  • Tsunoda’s recent result: Finished 10th at Monza, securing a point for Racing Bulls.
Isack Hadjar will miss the Spanish Grand Prix at Madring as Liam Lawson remains at Red Bull

Official Statements & Responses

Red Bull’s team communication confirmed that Lawson will continue alongside Verstappen, noting that Hadjar’s rehabilitation is “progressing positively” but he is not yet cleared to return to the cockpit. The statement added that Hadjar will be present in Madrid to support the team and that the organization looks forward to his return “very soon.” Racing Bulls reiterated that Tsunoda will stay in the race seat for the weekend, maintaining the lineup with Lindblad.

Isack Hadjar will miss the Spanish Grand Prix at Madring as Liam Lawson remains at Red Bull Hadjar (wrist) to miss Spanish GP as Lawson continues at Red Bull Isack Hadjar to miss Madrid F1 race as Tsunoda eyes future

Schedule of the Spanish Grand Prix Weekend

  • Thursday, September 10: Drivers’ press conference (2 pm) and paddock uncut (5 pm).
Isack Hadjar to miss Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid due to wrist injury as Liam Lawson continues at Red Bull
  • Friday, September 11: Practice sessions for F3 (8:50 am), F2 (10 am), and the first F1 practice (12 pm).
Isack Hadjar to miss Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid due to wrist injury as Liam Lawson continues at Red Bull
  • Sunday, September 13: Race day, followed by post-race analysis.
Isack Hadjar set to miss Spanish Grand Prix, Lawson steps in again

Why It Matters

Hadjar’s ongoing absence forces Red Bull to rely on a relatively inexperienced Lawson for a third straight event, testing the team’s depth and continuity. The situation also keeps Tsunoda in a race seat, giving him further exposure while he evaluates his longer-term career options. The debut of the Madring circuit adds a fresh variable for all teams, as drivers adapt to a new layout after the series’ move from Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya.

Isack Hadjar will miss the Spanish Grand Prix at Madring as Liam Lawson remains at Red Bull

What’s Next

Following the Madrid event, the Formula 1 calendar moves to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix later in the month, where Red Bull will again assess Lawson’s performance and Hadjar’s recovery progress.

Hadjar (wrist) to miss Spanish GP as Lawson continues at Red Bull