As the Zandvoort paddock fills with crew and engines begin to warm up, one name is again grabbing attention: Liam Lawson. The New Zealander has officially replaced an injured Isack Hadjar, a decision that Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies says is well deserved.
Lawson's return to Red Bull feels different this time. If 18 months ago he lasted just two races before being demoted, now he arrives with consistent performances at Racing Bulls. In 2026, the 24-year-old is the best-placed driver outside the top four teams after eight points finishes in 11 rounds. "He has rebuilt his career brilliantly," Mekies told F1.com.
Mekies stressed this opportunity is not a consolation prize. "His first two races last year were very difficult, but look at how he has bounced back. His performances have been consistent, both with the old and new generation cars. I think it's very well deserved," he added.
This decision also creates an interesting twist in Red Bull's driver line-up. Lawson will partner Max Verstappen, while Yuki Tsunoda, who lost his race seat at the end of last year, returns to Racing Bulls alongside Arvid Lindblad. The paddock is now buzzing with speculation about Hadjar's and Tsunoda's futures.
Regarding Hadjar, Mekies confirmed the Frenchman is in good shape. "A minor injury while training during the summer break. We don't want to take any risk. He has had a fantastic start to the season, getting stronger every session. We'll let him recover this weekend and hopefully have him back very soon," he explained.
It remains unclear whether Hadjar will be fit for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza next week. What is certain is that this is a golden opportunity for Lawson to prove he truly belongs in the top team. With his experience with the current generation cars and impressive form, the choice seems logical.
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