Red Bull to keep same driver line-up for Monza as Hadjar still injured

Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Liam Lawson will continue to drive the RB22 alongside Max Verstappen at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend at Monza. The decision was made after regular driver Isack Hadjar has not fully recovered from an injury sustained during the previous round at Zandvoort. Red Bull stated they do not want to take unnecessary risks with the health of the 22-year-old French driver, who is still undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. Hadjar, who had an impressive season since being promoted to the top team, suffered an injury during a collision in qualifying at the Dutch GP. Although Red Bull's medical team had hoped he could be ready for Monza, recent checks showed potential risks if he competed too soon. "We do not want to put any unnecessary pressure on Isack. The driver's health is always the top priority, and we will let him fully recover before returning," a Red Bull spokesperson said. With Hadjar's absence, Liam Lawson – the regular driver of the sister team Racing Bulls – will continue to deputize at Red Bull. This marks the second consecutive time Lawson has been entrusted with the RB22, following an impressive performance at Zandvoort. In the Netherlands, Lawson started from eighth and finished seventh, while also staying close to Verstappen in one-lap pace. This result has strengthened his position within the Red Bull driver development system. To fill the gap at Racing Bulls, veteran reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda will return to the VCARB 03, alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad. Tsunoda had a solid performance at Zandvoort, finishing 11th and just missing out on points. He also showed comparable pace to teammate Lindblad, demonstrating the consistency of an experienced driver in the system. Notably, Red Bull also announced that Ayumu Iwasa – a young Japanese driver – will replace Max Verstappen in the first practice session (FP1) at Monza. This is part of the FIA's mandatory requirement for each team to schedule at least four practice sessions for rookie drivers per season. The choice of Iwasa for this role not only helps Red Bull fulfill regulatory obligations but also provides an opportunity to further evaluate talent from their academy. From a professional analysis perspective, the decision to keep the same line-up highlights the depth of the driver pool that Red Bull possesses. With Verstappen as the star number one, Lawson having an extended audition, Hadjar recovering, Tsunoda as a reliable backup, and Lindblad as a developing rookie, the two-team system (Red Bull and Racing Bulls) allows flexible rotation without significantly compromising competitiveness. This is a structural advantage that most other teams do not have. However, Hadjar's injury is creating a negative feedback loop for his career. Every race he misses is a race where Lawson accumulates comparative data on the RB22. If Lawson continues to perform well at Monza – a completely different circuit from Zandvoort in terms of technical characteristics (low downforce, high speed) – the internal narrative could shift from "Hadjar's seat" to "Lawson's seat." This is an important signal for the driver market ahead of the 2027 season. As for Tsunoda, his role becomes increasingly clear: a reliable backup but not Red Bull's long-term future. He has been overlooked multiple times for the top seat, while Lawson and Hadjar have been prioritized, indicating that management is targeting younger talents. However, Tsunoda's consistency remains a valuable asset for the junior team. The Monza race will be a real test for Lawson, as the low-downforce circuit requires different tire management and slipstream skills. If he passes this challenge, his prospects for a full-time Red Bull seat in 2027 will become brighter than ever. Meanwhile, Hadjar will need to recover quickly to avoid being left behind in the seat race. The Italian Grand Prix promises exciting developments not only on the track but also behind the scenes of the Austrian team.