**Hadjar Out for Monza; Lawson and Tsunoda Step In**
Red Bull Racing has announced that Isack Hadjar will not participate in this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza as he continues to recover from a wrist injury. Liam Lawson will once again take Hadjar's place, marking his second consecutive race as a substitute driver. Yuki Tsunoda will also continue in his role as a stand-in for the Red Bull teams.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, ahead of the 13th round of the Formula One season, which takes place at one of the fastest circuits on the calendar. Hadjar, a French driver, sustained his wrist injury during training prior to the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort last month.
Lawson, a New Zealander, has been promoted back to the senior Red Bull team after being demoted last year. He finished seventh in the Dutch Grand Prix and currently sits ninth in the championship standings with 49 points. Meanwhile, his teammate Max Verstappen, who faced an early exit from his home race due to a crash on the opening lap, is placed sixth in the standings.
In a statement regarding the situation, Red Bull Racing expressed their commitment to Hadjar's recovery: “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.”
Hadjar had previously expressed optimism about his recovery and the possibility of returning for the Monza race. He mentioned that this was his first injury in his racing career, which made the situation particularly challenging for him. “It’s not swollen, which is a good sign. Actually, it’s healing fast. Every day I have a bit more mobility and I’m hopeful for Monza,” Hadjar stated during his appearance at Zandvoort.
In addition to Lawson’s participation, Tsunoda, who is the official reserve driver for both Red Bull teams, will also be racing. He has been brought in alongside British rookie Arvid Lindblad at Racing Bulls, the sister team based in Italy that focuses on developing young talent.
As the Formula One season progresses, the calendar remains busy, with the new Madring Spanish Grand Prix set to debut the weekend following the Monza race. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku is scheduled for September 26, further intensifying the competition as teams and drivers prepare for the challenges ahead.
With Hadjar sidelined, the focus will be on Lawson and Tsunoda as they aim to secure valuable points for their respective teams at the iconic Monza circuit, known for its high-speed straights and historic significance in the world of motorsport.