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The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix starts with a major change to the field. Isack Hadjar will not race at Zandvoort because of a wrist injury. Red Bull has therefore brought back Liam Lawson, while the Sprint format further reduces the time available to prepare the car.
Isack Hadjar’s absence is confirmed
Red Bull confirmed on August 19 that Isack Hadjar would miss the Dutch Grand Prix because of a wrist injury sustained during the summer break. This is no longer a medical doubt: the French driver will not take part in the race weekend.
Hadjar was eighth in the championship at the time and had been on a run of points finishes. His absence removes a driver who already understood the behaviour of the car, but it also creates a major opportunity for his replacement.
Liam Lawson returns to Red Bull
Liam Lawson replaces Hadjar in the Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen. The New Zealander temporarily leaves Racing Bulls, where he had established himself as one of the regular drivers in the midfield.
Yuki Tsunoda takes Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls and returns to the team he previously raced for. The reshuffle adds another strategic variable to a weekend in which every session matters.
A weekend where every session matters
Zandvoort hosts the twelfth round of the 2026 championship with a Sprint format. Drivers have less time to confirm their settings before parc fermé conditions limit further changes.
On a fast, undulating circuit where overtaking is difficult, a preparation mistake can be costly. Teams must balance cornering speed, stability through the banked turns and tyre management across several competitive sessions.
The key contenders
Kimi Antonelli arrives as championship leader, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell still close in the fight at the front. Lando Norris showed in Hungary that McLaren can return to the conversation, while Mercedes will look to turn consistency into a win.
Max Verstappen remains Red Bull’s reference point at his home circuit. The car has struggled to unlock its full potential this season, but Verstappen’s level and the atmosphere at Zandvoort can still change the picture.
The questions before the race
Why is Isack Hadjar absent?
Red Bull confirmed that Hadjar has a wrist injury sustained during the summer break.
Who replaces Hadjar at Red Bull?
Liam Lawson replaces Isack Hadjar at Red Bull. Yuki Tsunoda takes Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls.
Why does the Sprint format change preparation?
The Sprint format reduces the time teams have to test their settings before the sessions that decide the grid and award points.
