Liam Lawson will remain in Red Bull’s Formula One lineup for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix while Isack Hadjar continues his recovery from a wrist injury.
The 24-year-old New Zealander will again race alongside Max Verstappen at Monza. Lawson finished seventh at the Dutch Grand Prix and is ninth in the drivers’ standings with 49 points.
Why Red Bull kept Lawson
Red Bull said Hadjar is making encouraging progress but that the team will take no unnecessary risks. Monza’s high-speed layout produces heavy braking loads and demands confidence from the driver, making a premature return particularly difficult.
Lawson normally races for Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s sister team. His promotion keeps continuity in the senior lineup after a solid result at Zandvoort. Yuki Tsunoda will stay with Racing Bulls alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad.
Verstappen arrives in Italy looking to recover after crashing out on the opening lap of his home race. That puts extra importance on Lawson bringing the car home and collecting points.
What to watch at Monza
Low-downforce efficiency, straight-line speed and tyre management will determine the weekend. Lawson’s biggest task will be adapting quickly to the senior Red Bull car while avoiding the pressure to match Verstappen immediately.
Hadjar’s return date remains unconfirmed. A strong Monza performance could strengthen Lawson’s case for future Red Bull opportunities even after the regular lineup is restored.
