Liam Lawson will race for Red Bull for a third time in Madrid. Image: XPB Images
Red Bull confirmed on Monday that Hadjar is not yet ready to return from the wrist injury that has kept him out since the Dutch Grand Prix, handing Lawson another outing in the RB22 at the new Madring circuit.
Yuki Tsunoda will also continue his Formula 1 return with Racing Bulls, again partnering Arvid Lindblad in Lawson’s regular seat.
“After racing for the team in Zandvoort and Monza, Liam will continue to drive alongside Max at this week’s Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid,” Red Bull said in a statement.
“The decision has been taken as Isack’s recovery continues to progress positively. While he is not yet ready to return to the cockpit, he will be in Madrid supporting the team.
“Everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing looks forward to welcoming Isack back behind the wheel very soon.”
Hadjar has been sidelined since injuring his wrist while training during F1’s summer break, with Red Bull opting against rushing the 21-year-old back into competition.
Team principal Laurent Mekies had already suggested during the Italian Grand Prix weekend that Madrid would likely arrive too soon for the Frenchman.
“Madrid is a few days from now, so that’s tricky,” Mekies told French broadcaster Canal+.
“We’ll re-evaluate his situation, but targeting Madrid probably is tricky,”
“But we’re taking things one race at a time and we’re looking at it together in a more rational way.
“Again, the priority, what will influence our decision, is being sure he returns at 100 percent and with zero risks for his future.”
Hadjar’s continued recovery gives Lawson another opportunity with Red Bull after two contrasting weekends since being drafted into the senior squad.
The New Zealander impressed immediately at Zandvoort, reaching Q3 and qualifying eighth before finishing seventh in his first race back with Red Bull since his brief spell with the team at the beginning of 2025.
His second appearance at Monza proved more difficult.
Lawson qualified 14th before a power unit change sent him to the back of the grid, with the 24-year-old ultimately starting from the pit lane.
He had climbed to 11th by Lap 9 before contact with Nico Hulkenberg at Turn 1 damaged his front wing and forced an unscheduled stop for repairs.
Lawson eventually finished 14th, having lost significant time through the incident.
The Madrid confirmation also removes the uncertainty Lawson faced at Monza, where he had admitted he was preparing for the possibility of driving either the Red Bull or Racing Bulls due to Hadjar’s unclear recovery timeline.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, will get a third consecutive weekend back at Racing Bulls after returning to the squad at Zandvoort.
The Japanese driver finished 11th in the Netherlands before claiming 10th at Monza, scoring his first point of the 2026 season as Racing Bulls placed both cars inside the top 10.