Liam Lawson to Drive for Red Bull at Italian Grand Prix

Liam Lawson will stay in the Red Bull seat for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza, with Isack Hadjar ruled out once again as he continues to recover from a wrist injury.

The decision keeps stability alongside Max Verstappen after Lawson’s sharp stand‑in performance at Zandvoort, where he was drafted in late and responded with eighth on the grid and seventh at the flag in the Dutch Grand Prix. It was his first points finish for the Milton Keynes outfit and a reminder of the composure he showed in his brief spell with the team last season.

Since Zandvoort, Red Bull has kept Lawson busy. He remained in the RB22 at Mugello for Pirelli tyre testing, helping evaluate prototype compounds for the 2027 season and banking more valuable mileage in current machinery.

Hadjar, meanwhile, has been fighting the clock. The Frenchman, injured over the summer break, was pictured at the FFSA French Junior Karting Championship late last week still wearing a wrist brace. Red Bull delayed its call for Monza as long as it could, waiting to see whether his condition might improve in time for the high‑speed demands of the Italian circuit.

It hasn’t. The team has opted for caution.

In a statement, Red Bull confirmed: “Liam will drive alongside Max at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, while Isack continues to make encouraging progress following the wrist injury sustained during the summer break. The Team is closely monitoring his rehabilitation and will take no unnecessary risks with his return to competition and wishes him a speedy recovery.”

That stance underlines the team’s long‑term view on Hadjar, while simultaneously opening another window for Lawson to press his case in a race seat under full Grand Prix pressure at one of Formula 1’s most unforgiving tracks.

The ripple effect continues down the Red Bull ladder. Reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda, who stepped in at Racing Bulls alongside Arvid Lindblad at Zandvoort, will remain with the sister team for Monza, preserving continuity there as well.

So Monza will see a familiar pairing at the front: Verstappen leading Red Bull’s charge, Lawson back in the car and back under the spotlight, and Hadjar watching on again – this time with the hope that his next appearance comes when he is fully ready to fight.