Hadjar likely to miss Dutch Grand Prix after hand injury

Isack Hadjar is expected to miss this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix after suffering a hand injury during Formula 1's summer break. BBC Sport reported that the Red Bull driver will not race at Zandvoort, citing a source close to the team, while noting that Red Bull's public guidance was only that he was likely to be absent.

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The team had not released details of the injury or formally announced a driver change when the report was published. According to BBC Sport, the Frenchman is understood to have broken his hand while boxing. With no official medical account available, the exact nature of the injury and the likely length of his recovery remain unconfirmed.

Liam Lawson is expected to move across from Racing Bulls to partner Max Verstappen for the event. Yuki Tsunoda, who serves as Red Bull's reserve driver after losing his race seat with the senior team at the end of last season, is set to replace Lawson at Racing Bulls. Neither substitution had been formally announced by Red Bull at the time of the report.

The temporary switch would return Lawson to the senior Red Bull lineup after his brief spell there at the start of the 2025 season. The New Zealander had been scheduled to race alongside Verstappen throughout that campaign but was moved back to Racing Bulls after the opening two grands prix. The Zandvoort assignment would therefore give him another opportunity in Red Bull's lead car.

Hadjar's absence would come during a difficult season for Red Bull. BBC Sport reported that four-time world champion Verstappen has yet to win in 2026, with runner-up finishes in Austria and Hungary his best results so far. Red Bull's official standings listed Hadjar eighth in the drivers' championship on 68 points ahead of the Dutch weekend.

The Dutch Grand Prix is scheduled for August 21-23 at Circuit Zandvoort. It carries added significance for Verstappen because it is his home race, and the event is due to leave the Formula 1 calendar after the 2026 edition. For Red Bull, the immediate focus is now on confirming its two-team driver arrangement and clarifying Hadjar's recovery timetable.