Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson finds himself navigating an unusual dual-team reality at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, stepping in once again for Isack Hadjar at Red Bull Racing while keeping his long-term sights fixed on his permanent home at Racing Bulls. While the French driver initially targeted a return at Zandvoort, Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed that even Hadjar’s participation in the upcoming race in Madrid is currently under scrutiny.
Inside the Red Bull Junior Team Shuffle
The sudden injury forced a mid-season shuffle across the Red Bull stable. Lawson has been slotted back into the Red Bull Racing cockpit alongside Max Verstappen, while Yuki Tsunoda resumes his duties at Racing Bulls. Alan Permane, speaking to motorsport outlets over the Monza weekend, noted that the preparation phase proved relatively straightforward once management locked in Lawson as the substitute driver. Yet, the arrangement highlights ongoing friction regarding driver placement within the energy drink company’s junior program.
Despite driving for the Milton Keynes-based main squad this weekend, Lawson admitted in paddock interviews that he would prefer to return straight to his regular Racing Bulls car. To ease any tension, Permane assured the New Zealand driver that his traditional seat remains fully available the moment Hadjar regains his fitness. Lawson’s weekend in Monza also kicked off with a significant sporting handicap: he was forced to start the Italian Grand Prix from the pit lane due to a power unit change made necessary within Hadjar’s pool of components.
Telemetry Contrast Between Red Bull and Racing Bulls
Splitting time between the two sister teams has given Lawson a rare, firsthand data comparison of both chassis configurations. Conversely, Lawson observed that the Racing Bulls car offers more forgiving handling characteristics in slower corners and during traction zones on exit, even if it lacks the raw peak speed of its senior counterpart.
This technical feedback has provided engineers at Faenza with valuable development insights as the Formula 1 season enters its final stretch. For Lawson, the immediate focus remains on maximizing performance in Monza before team management updates its driver roster ahead of the Madrid round.
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