Red Bull uncertain on Isack Hadjar’s return for Spanish GP after wrist injury

Summary

Juan Pablo Montoya believes Liam Lawson should stay in the Red Bull F1 car for the Spanish GP. Meanwhile, Red Bull has provided an update on Isack Hadjar's recovery from injury, indicating he has missed two races and raising questions about his potential return for the upcoming race. The decision hinges on Hadjar's recovery status, with Lawson potentially stepping in if Hadjar is not fit.

The Full Story

Red Bull has indicated that Isack Hadjar is unlikely to return to Formula 1 competition for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix due to a wrist injury sustained during training. The 21-year-old French driver, who has missed the last two races, remains sidelined as the team prioritizes his full recovery over a rushed comeback.

Hadjar broke his wrist while boxing during the F1 summer break, an injury that forced him out of the Dutch Grand Prix and the Italian Grand Prix this weekend. In his absence, Red Bull has relied on Liam Lawson to fill the seat, with Lawson also moving up to Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls, to replace Yuki Tsunoda. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed that Hadjar is still unable to drive and emphasized that the team is taking a cautious approach to his rehabilitation. “Look, Isack is okay,” Mekies said in an interview with French broadcaster Canal+. “He can’t drive now so, obviously, I’m not going to tell you he’s happy - because he’s not. But the absolute priority is his recovery. We have no reason to take risks with it.” [2]

Mekies praised Hadjar’s progress this season, highlighting the young driver’s rapid improvement and strong performances. He stressed that the team will only clear Hadjar to return when he is fully fit and free of risk. “His season so far has been fantastic, he’s very young, he improves every time he drives the car, so it’s important for him to return when he’s 100%,” Mekies added. “So we’ll take whatever time is required, trust his feeling and the doctors’ guidance, and give him the time he needs.” [2]

The Spanish Grand Prix, scheduled for September 11-13 in Madrid, is now considered a challenging target for Hadjar’s comeback. Mekies described the timeline as “tricky” and said the team will reassess his condition closer to the event. “Madrid is a few days from now, so that’s tricky. We’ll reevaluate his situation, but targeting Madrid probably is tricky,” he said. “We’re taking things one race at a time and looking at it together in a more rational way.” [2]

Should Hadjar remain unfit for Spain, Lawson is expected to continue deputizing in the Red Bull seat, while Tsunoda would maintain his role at Racing Bulls. This arrangement keeps the team stable as they await Hadjar’s return. Hadjar has also received advice from seven-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, who has experience managing injuries and cautioned the young driver against rushing back too soon, to avoid aggravating the damage. [2]

If Hadjar misses the Spanish Grand Prix, he would have nearly three weeks before the next race in Azerbaijan, taking place from September 24-26. This gap could provide additional recovery time ahead of a demanding end to the season, which includes three consecutive triple-header race weekends. [2]

Meanwhile, former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has publicly suggested that Red Bull should retain Lawson in the car for the Spanish Grand Prix given Hadjar’s ongoing recovery. Montoya’s view underscores the importance of maintaining continuity and performance while the French driver recuperates. [1]

With Red Bull prioritizing Hadjar’s health and long-term potential, the team is prepared to be patient rather than risk his future by pushing for an early return. Their approach reflects a broader trend in motorsport where driver welfare is increasingly emphasized, particularly for young talents with promising careers ahead.

The situation remains fluid, and Red Bull will continue to monitor Hadjar’s progress in the coming weeks. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if he can rejoin the grid in time for the Spanish Grand Prix or if Lawson will extend his stint behind the wheel.