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Lawson returns to Racing Bulls with Hadjar cleared to race
Sport Nation • September 22nd, 2026 8:14 pm
Liam Lawson | Photo: Florent Gooden/Photosport
Liam Lawson will return to his regular Racing Bulls seat this week after Isack Hadjar was cleared to make a comeback from a wrist injury he sustained during the Formula One summer break.
Both teams confirmed the driver switch on Tuesday evening, with Red Bull thanking and praising Lawson.
"The team would like to sincerely thank Liam for his professionalism, dedication and hard work over the past three races.
"Stepping in under challenging circumstances, he delivered some impressive performances and made a valuable contribution to the team. We wish him all the very best as he returns to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls."
The New Zealander impressed during the three-round stint, scoring points at both Zandvoort and Madrid, including a sixth-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix.
And despite a 35-place grid penalty at Monza after Red Bull fitted new power unit components, Lawson still managed to finish 14th.
It was a clear improvement on the 24-year-old’s previous stint in the seat in 2025, when he was demoted back to Racing Bulls after just two races following a DNF in Australia and a 12th-place finish in China.
This year’s stint was even more challenging for Lawson, who, like the rest of the field, is still adapting to F1’s revamped cars while also switching from the familiar Racing Bulls machinery to the unfamiliar territory of Red Bull.
With Hadjar now cleared to return for this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Lawson will move back to his regular Racing Bulls seat alongside Arvid Lindblad that reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda had been racing.
Liam Lawson | Photo: Photosport
Red Bull had previously insisted it would not rush 22-year-old Hadjar back into the cockpit, with team officials confirming that his recovery was progressing as expected.
But it was deemed crucial for Hadjar to return before the three consecutive weekends of racing in Azerbaijan, Bahrain and Singapore to avoid more disruption for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls teams.
Lawson currently sits 9th in the driver standings on 59 points, just behind Hadjar on 71 points, with both still in championship contention.
Both Racing Bulls seats and one Red Bull seat remain unconfirmed for the 2027 season, with the potential for Lawson to be upgraded to the senior team long-term.
