There will be a slightly different-looking grid when Formula One returns from the summer break at Zandvoort this weekend.
Due to an unfortunate wrist injury, Isack Hadjar has been ruled out of the Dutch Grand Prix and will be unable to race for Red Bull.
Stepping into his seat is Liam Lawson, who will move across from VCARB for the weekend. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Lawson has been called upon to replace an injured driver at Zandvoort. Back in 2023, he made his Formula One debut at this very circuit after Daniel Ricciardo broke his wrist during practice.
Three years later, Lawson once again finds himself replacing a driver with a wrist injury at the Dutch Grand Prix – although this time he arrives with considerably more Formula One experience under his belt.
Lawson’s temporary move to Red Bull also creates an opening at VCARB, with Yuki Tsunoda set to step into his seat for the weekend.
It means we’ll see a reshuffled Red Bull and VCARB line-up at Zandvoort, adding another interesting storyline to Formula One’s first race back after the summer break.
For Hadjar, the focus will now be on his recovery and getting back behind the wheel as soon as possible. For Lawson and Tsunoda, however, this weekend presents an unexpected opportunity to make an impression in new roles.
