Red Bull has sprung a surprise ahead of this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix by confirming a last-minute driver change. Isack Hadjar has been ruled out after sustaining a wrist injury during the summer break, forcing the team to reshuffle its plans.
Stepping into the RB22 will be Liam Lawson, who gets his second call-up to the senior squad after a brief and challenging stint alongside Max Verstappen at the start of the 2025 campaign. Back then, Lawson struggled and was quickly demoted to Racing Bulls. But the 2026 season has told a different story—he has been a model of consistency, scoring points in eight of the first eleven rounds.
His resurgence has clearly caught the eye, and now he has another shot at proving he belongs at the front. However, the pressure will be immense, especially with Verstappen as a benchmark and the team's title ambitions hanging in the balance.
Meanwhile, Racing Bulls needed a substitute for Lawson and have turned to familiar face Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese driver, who was dropped from a full-time seat at the end of 2025 after a tough year with Red Bull, has been serving as a reserve driver. He now returns to the Faenza-based squad where he spent four seasons, with a career-best fourth place in his rookie year.
This move is almost a homecoming for Tsunoda, giving him a chance to rebuild his reputation in a comfortable environment. It also keeps him in the spotlight for any future opportunities at the top.
In an official statement, Red Bull confirmed Hadjar's injury and welcomed Lawson back. "We wish Isack a speedy recovery and thank Liam for stepping in at short notice," the team said.
This shake-up adds another layer of intrigue to the Dutch GP. Hadjar's absence is a blow to his momentum, while Lawson and Tsunoda have everything to prove. Will this gamble pay off for Red Bull? We'll find out at Zandvoort.
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