Isack Hadjar missed the Dutch Grand Prix due to a broken left wrist sustained during a boxing session over the summer break, according to Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies. According to reports from F1 Oversteer, internal concerns at Red Bull suggest that rushing Hadjar back too soon could worsen the fracture and jeopardize the remainder of his rookie season.
Monza Grand Prix Circuit Demands High Wrist Stress
The Italian Grand Prix circuit at Monza poses a severe physical test for drivers recovering from upper-body injuries. Because the track layout flows primarily in a clockwise direction, high-speed corners like the Curva Grande, the Lesmo curves, the Ascari chicane, and the Parabolica place intense mechanical and physical strain on a driver’s left wrist and hand. According to team assessments, any lingering weakness in Hadjar’s wrist could be severely aggravated on these fast sections, heightening the risk of sidelining the French driver for the rest of the championship calendar.
Red Bull has set a clear goal to return Hadjar to the cockpit for the upcoming race in Italy, provided his medical recovery progresses adequately. However, team leadership remains cautious. Laurent Mekies emphasized that the team refuses to take unnecessary risks with the young driver’s health following his strong first half of the season. “He has a very good first half of the season behind him. But we don’t want to take any risks, so he is skipping this race,” Mekies stated. “Our goal is for him to be back in the cockpit at the next race in Monza.” Practical caution was already evident in Zandvoort, where Hadjar deliberately avoided signing autographs with his left hand to maximize physical rest.
Red Bull and Racing Bulls Shuffle Driver Lineup
The sudden injury forced Red Bull into a rapid restructuring of its driver roster for the Dutch Grand Prix. Liam Lawson stepped up to pilot the senior team alongside Max Verstappen. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda made a swift return to Formula 1 action by vacating his holiday in Greece to take over Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls. If Hadjar fails to pass fitness checks ahead of the Monza weekend, Red Bull expects Lawson to slot back alongside Verstappen, keeping Tsunoda in place at Racing Bulls to maintain squad stability.
Pro Tip: Monitoring F1 Injury Reports
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Isack Hadjar miss the Dutch Grand Prix?
Hadjar suffered a broken left wrist during a boxing session over the summer break, forcing him to sit out the race at Zandvoort.
Who replaced Isack Hadjar at Red Bull in Zandvoort?
Liam Lawson filled in for Hadjar alongside Max Verstappen, while Yuki Tsunoda stepped in to drive for Racing Bulls.
Will Isack Hadjar return for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza?
Red Bull’s stated goal is to have Hadjar back in the car at Monza, though team management monitors his wrist recovery closely to prevent long-term damage.
What happens if Hadjar’s wrist is not fully healed for Monza?
If Hadjar remains unfit to drive, Liam Lawson is expected to take his place alongside Max Verstappen for the race.
What do you think? Will rushing Isack Hadjar back at Monza risk his season, or should Red Bull keep Liam Lawson in the seat a little longer? Leave a comment below, explore our latest Formula 1 coverage, or subscribe to our newsletter for daily paddock updates.