Liam Lawson stepped into Max Verstappen’s Red Bull car at the Italian Grand Prix as Isack Hadjar continued his recovery from a broken wrist sustained during a summer boxing training session, according to reports from Sky F1 and autosport.headliner.nl. The driver swap triggered internal turbulence within the Red Bull driver development program, leaving Lawson eager to return to his usual Racing Bulls seat while Yuki Tsunoda slotted back into a VCARB machine.
Driver Shakeup and Red Bull Academy Unrest
The absence of Hadjar forced a late-notice scramble across the Red Bull stable. Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane told Sky F1 that while the preparation for Monza proved smoother than previous sudden call-ups, the overarching situation remains far from settled. “This weekend ging het wat makkelijker. Hij wist dat de kans heel groot was dat hij hier zou rijden,” Permane stated to Sky F1, noting that simulation sessions and flights had been locked in ahead of time.
Hadjar initially aimed for a return at Zandvoort, but Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies revealed that even the upcoming race in Madrid is now in jeopardy. Consequently, Lawson finds himself pulling double-duty comparisons between the senior Red Bull squad and the Racing Bulls setup, starting Sunday’s race from the pit lane due to a motor change in Hadjar’s car.
Car Performance Differences Revealed by Lawson
Driving two distinct machines across the paddock has given Lawson unique insight into the engineering philosophies of both teams. According to Permane, the New Zealander utilized his cross-team experience to provide targeted feedback to the Racing Bulls engineers regarding downforce and handling characteristics.
“Hij heeft ons wat feedback gegeven, en een van de dingen die hij noemde is dat de auto veel meer neerwaartse druk heeft,” Permane explained via Sky F1. “Bij hoge snelheden voelt hij dat echt. Zeker in Zandvoort, in die bochten waar je heel hard rijdt, zei hij dat je die neerwaartse druk echt kon voelen.”
Permane contrasted the senior team’s high-speed stability with his own squad’s machinery, noting that the VCARB car offers a more forgiving ride through medium- and low-speed corners. “Onze auto is iets vriendelijker in het midden- tot uitgangsgedeelte bij lagere snelheden. Hij is misschien niet zo snel – ik weet zeker dat hij niet zo snel is – maar ik denk dat hij iets makkelijker te besturen is,” Permane said.
Lawson’s Future Stance on Racing Bulls Seat
Despite the temporary promotion to the front-running Red Bull outfit alongside Verstappen, Lawson has made clear that he intends to reclaim his regular home at Racing Bulls once Hadjar recovers. Permane acknowledged the driver’s clear career preference during media sessions.
“Het is niet ideaal, het is zeker niet ideaal voor ons. Liam wil wel graag helpen, maar hij zegt gewoon: ‘Ik wil weer in mijn auto zitten’. Ik zeg hem dat de stoel voor hem klaarstaat, zodra Isack weer fit en gezond is,” Permane told Sky F1.
Did you know? Liam Lawson has spent years rising through the Red Bull Junior Team development ladder since joining the talent pool in 2019, positioning himself as a primary option for unexpected Formula 1 substitution duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Liam Lawson driving for Red Bull instead of Isack Hadjar?
Lawson is substituting for Hadjar because the French driver is recovering from a broken wrist sustained during a boxing training session in the summer break, according to autosport.headliner.nl.
Where is Liam Lawson starting the Italian Grand Prix?
Lawson is starting the race from the pit lane due to a motor change in Hadjar’s car, as reported by Sky F1.
When will Isack Hadjar return to racing?
Hadjar’s return timeline remains uncertain, with Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies noting that even the upcoming race in Madrid is in jeopardy.
What did Lawson say about his preferred team?
According to Alan Permane, Lawson has stated that he wants to return to his usual Racing Bulls car once Hadjar is fully healthy.
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