BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Liam Lawson will continue to deputize for the injured Isack Hadjar at Red Bull for this weekend's Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix as the Frenchman recovers from a broken wrist.
Hadjar missed last month's Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort after suffering the injury while boxing during F1's summer break and has not recovered sufficiently to race at Monza.
Red Bull said Wednesday that the 21-year-old was making "encouraging progress" but that the team would take no unnecessary risks with his return.
Hadjar has taken a cautious approach to his recovery and sought advice from MotoGP great Marc Marquez, who suffered complications after attempting to return too quickly from a broken arm in 2020.
Lawson, who normally races for Red Bull's sister team Racing Bulls, will therefore partner four-time world champion Max Verstappen for the second consecutive race.
The New Zealander finished seventh at Zandvoort in his first race in Red Bull's RB22 this season, and said that experience should leave him better prepared for Monza.
"It's good to hear Isack is recovering well and is back in the car soon, but it's great to have another weekend with the team," Lawson said.
"Zandvoort gave me a really useful first reference in the car, and having a full sprint weekend behind me means I'm coming into Monza with a much better understanding of the car and what I need from it."
Lawson previously drove for Red Bull at the start of the 2025 season before being moved back to Racing Bulls after two races.
Yuki Tsunoda will again take Lawson's place at Racing Bulls alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad. The Japanese driver, who lost his full-time F1 seat at Red Bull at the end of last season, returned to racing at Zandvoort as Lawson's replacement.
Lawson will take part in the full weekend at Monza, while Verstappen will sit out one practice session to allow Japanese reserve driver Ayumu Iwasa to drive the RB22 as Red Bull fulfills its mandatory rookie practice requirements.
Hadjar's absence comes as Red Bull sits fourth in the constructors' championship behind Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren.
The Italian Grand Prix is followed by races in Madrid and Baku later this month, giving Hadjar further opportunities to return once his wrist has sufficiently recovered. ■
