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Hadjar was forced to sit out the Dutch Grand Prix after suffering the injury while training during Formula 1’s summer break, opening the door for Lawson to make an unexpected return to Red Bull. The New Zealander made the most of the opportunity at Zandvoort, qualifying eighth before finishing seventh to claim his first points for the senior team. Whether he receives another chance alongside Max Verstappen this weekend is now dependent on Hadjar’s recovery, with Red Bull yet to officially confirm its Italian Grand Prix line-up. There have also been some indications that Lawson could be preparing to return to his regular Racing Bulls seat. The Italian team has teased a special Monza race suit featuring Lawson in its promotional material ahead of its home event, fuelling speculation that Hadjar could be cleared to return to Red Bull. Hadjar provided a positive update on his condition in a video posted on Red Bull’s Instagram, filmed during the Dutch Grand Prix, saying mobility in the injured wrist has continued to improve during his recovery. “Actually it’s my first injury ever in my whole existence, career, whatever, so it’s weird to be on the bench,” Hadjar said. “I’m not happy about it, for me and for the team. Obviously I want to be there every lap.” Holding up his wrist in the video, Hadjar explained the progress that had been made as he pushed towards a return. View this post on Instagram “You see where there’s the space is just where I got injured,” he said while showing his wrist. “So it’s not swollen, which is very good. Which is a good sign. “So actually it’s healing fast. Every day I have a bit more mobility and I’m hopeful for Monza.” Several outlets have reported Red Bull is expected to make its final decision on Wednesday, giving Hadjar as much time as possible to recover before practice begins on Friday. Photos have also emerged online showing Hadjar’s name and image displayed on the front of Red Bull’s Monza garage. However, no official announcement has been made and Lawson remains the likely replacement should Hadjar fail to receive clearance. View this post on Instagram That would likely result in the same reshuffle used at Zandvoort, with Lawson remaining alongside Verstappen and reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda continuing at Racing Bulls alongside Arvid Lindblad. Lawson strengthened his case for another Red Bull appearance with an impressive return in the Netherlands. After being called up at short notice, the 24-year-old reached Q3 for the first time as a Red Bull driver and qualified just over a tenth behind Verstappen. Verstappen crashed out on the opening lap of the race, leaving Lawson as the team’s sole representative for the remainder of the afternoon. He eventually finished seventh despite a late penalty, earning six points and praise from Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies. “It’s a very very strong demonstration that Liam has been doing this weekend. One tenth from Max, jumping to a team from another,” Mekies told Sky Sports F1 in Zandvoort. “It’s easy to forget that one year ago he had a pretty nightmare experience here [at Red Bull] in the first two races. “And today he has proven that he can still do it.” Lawson has since gained further experience in Red Bull machinery after remaining with the team for Pirelli’s 2027 tyre development test at Mugello. He completed 116 laps and 608 kilometres during the test, giving him additional mileage in the RB22 should he again be required to race at Monza. Red Bull nevertheless made clear at Zandvoort that getting Hadjar back for the Italian Grand Prix was its target. “We will push very hard to have him back in Monza. That’s the target,” Mekies said at Zandvoort. “We are not doctors, but we are working, and Isaac is very disciplined in making sure we have the maximum chance to have him back in Monza.” The Italian Grand Prix gets underway with FP1 from 8:30pm AEST on Friday.