An Unexpected Return
Liam Lawson’s 2026 season took an unplanned turn at Zandvoort when he was called up from Racing Bulls to fill in for an injured Isack Hadjar at Red Bull Racing. It marked the second time Lawson has stepped into a Red Bull seat at the Dutch Grand Prix specifically, having made his F1 debut at the same event in 2023 after Daniel Ricciardo suffered a broken hand.
How the Call-Up Happened
- Hadjar sustained a wrist injury during a training session over the summer break
- Lawson stepped up to partner Max Verstappen for the weekend
- Reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda filled Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad
- Lawson delivered Red Bull’s only points of the weekend with a seventh-place finish
A Career of Fits and Starts
Lawson’s F1 journey has been unusually stop-start. He was promoted to Red Bull for the start of 2025 alongside Verstappen, only to be demoted back to the junior team after just two races. Racing Bulls has since given him a stable home, where he currently leads rookie team-mate Arvid Lindblad by 20 points at the season’s midpoint.
The Contract Question
Despite the strong form, Lawson is only contracted at Racing Bulls through the end of 2026, leaving his 2027 future unresolved. Team boss Alan Permane has said the goal is to give Lawson a full, uninterrupted season, something the Zandvoort call-up has technically denied him again — even if it came for a good cause.
What’s Next
With plenty of contract uncertainty elsewhere on the grid, Lawson’s performances as a stand-in only strengthen his case for a longer-term Red Bull opportunity if one becomes available.
Conclusion
Lawson has built a reputation as F1’s most reliable emergency option. The real test now is whether that reputation translates into a stable, guaranteed seat for 2027.