Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar will sit out a second consecutive Formula 1 race as he continues his recovery from a wrist injury.
The 21-year-old Frenchman has been ruled out of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza after also missing the previous round in the Netherlands.
Liam Lawson will again step into Hadjar’s Red Bull seat and partner reigning world champion Max Verstappen. The New Zealander, normally part of Red Bull’s sister team Racing Bulls, finished seventh in the Dutch Grand Prix during his first appearance as Hadjar’s replacement.
Lawson’s temporary move leaves another vacancy at Racing Bulls, where reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda will once more take over for the weekend.
Hadjar suffered the injury after breaking his wrist during a boxing session over the summer. Red Bull said this week that his rehabilitation was progressing positively, but the team has decided against accelerating his return before he is fully ready to compete.
The absence comes at an important stage of the season for Red Bull, which currently sits fourth in the constructors’ championship behind Mercedes, Ferrari and leaders McLaren.
The team has not yet confirmed whether Hadjar is expected to return for the following race.