Isack Hadjar has been in good form since his crash in Miami, finishing in the top six in all of the subsequent races. However, luck is not on his side following the summer break, with a wrist injury ruling him out of the Dutch GP.
This news required Red Bull to reshuffle the pack, with the Frenchman on the sidelines. Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson is set to take to the RB22's cockpit, driving for the senior team for the first time since the Chinese GP in 2025. This also means reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda will step up into the vacant Racing Bulls seat, in what is a massive opportunity for the Japanese racer.
Yuki Tsunoda needs a good cameo appearance
Red Bull dropped Yuki Tsunoda after he suffered a torrid season in 2025. The 26-year-old scored 30 points for the Austrian team, leaving the team languishing in third place. This left the Japanese racer off the grid in 2026 and looking likely to stay on the sidelines this season. However, Hadjar's injury has given Yuki a massive opportunity.
With Tsunoda without a seat, the Dutch GP is now an opportunity for him to showcase his skills to other teams looking to change drivers. Zandvoort was one of the races where Yuki scored points last term, so he will go into the race with a degree of confidence.
The most likely team looking for a fresh face is Haas. Esteban Ocon's future is in doubt after a season filled with poor results compared to his teammate, Oliver Bearman. Tsunoda has been linked with taking the Frenchman's seat for the 2027 season, and this would be a good chance to show Haas he is worth taking a punt on.
The issue for Tsunoda is that he is yet to drive a car with the 2026 regulations in anger. The 26-year-old will have to accustom himself to the new spec cars quickly, with the Dutch GP being a sprint weekend. The pressure is on Yuki if he wants a drive for the 2027 season.
Liam Lawson looking to right the wrongs of 2025
Liam Lawson had a difficult 2025 season. After being promoted to Red Bull, replacing Sergio Perez, he was dumped by the team after only two race weekends. This is a huge opportunity for the Kiwi to showcase to Red Bull that he deserves a chance in the senior team.
Lawson is currently ninth in the championship, on 43 points. The Kiwi is only 25 points behind Isack Hadjar, showing he is competitive in the Racing Bulls machinery. However, the 24-year-old is unlikely to get into the Red Bull set-up anytime soon. Hadjar has performed well and scored points consistently, while Max Verstappen is immovable. The only way Lawson will get a permanent chance at Red Bull is if Max leaves.
2026 Season: Liam Lawson vs Arvid Lindblad
2026 · P9
2026 · P11
On the other hand, Lawson might be racing his future in the sport. Rumours are swirling around his future in F1 within the Red Bull family. F2 championship leader Nikola Tsolov is being linked to a promotion to F1, with Lawson's seat looking more vulnerable than Arvid Lindblad's.
If Lawson keeps performing and impresses in his RB22 cameo, the team will struggle to replace the Kiwi. Laim needs a good result in Zandvoort to help cement his place on the grid. Otherwise, as he knows, Red Bull can be ruthless, and he may find himself on the sidelines.
