Liam Lawson promoted to Red Bull for F1 Dutch GP

A chance at redemption for Liam Lawson in Formula One

The Racing Bulls driver has been promoted to senior team Red Bull Racing for this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.

The 24-year-old New Zealander replaces Isack Hadjar, who fractured his wrist while doing boxing drills involving punching a sandbag.

It’s a deserved promotion for Lawson, who currently sits ninth in the Drivers’ Standings, the best of any driver from outside the four main teams of Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren.

It’s also an opportunity for Lawson to show Red Bull what they missed out on after sensationally demoting him after just two races at the start of last year.

He might only get one shot at the senior team though, with Hadjar expected to be over his injury in time for the next F1 race in Italy on September 7th.

Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls has been taken by former teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who is a reserve driver for both teams after being dumped by Red Bull at the end of 2026.

Another option for Red Bull would’ve been to promote Nikola Tsolov, who is currently leading the Formula Two championship.

The 19-year-old from Bulgaria is highly rated and is tipped to be fast-tracked to Formula One next year, potentially at the expense of Lawson or his current teammate Arvid Lindblad.

Lawson is yet to secure a seat for next year, while four-time world champion Max Verstappen is also weighing up his future with Red Bull.

It’s a case of history repeating itself for the Kiwi at Zandvoort. 

Lawson made his original Formula One debut at the exact same Dutch circuit in 2023 under almost identical circumstances, stepping in at short notice after Daniel Ricciardo fractured his hand in a crash during practice.

The Dutch GP is at 1am on Monday NZT.