This weekend’s 2026 Dutch Formula One Grand Prix sees Liam Lawson return to Circuit Zandvoort in Zandvoort, the Netherlands, where he made his initial Formula One debut in 2023. This time he will be the teammate of Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, replacing Isack Hadjar who has sustained a wrist injury over the summer break. Verstappen’s teammate from 2025, Yuki Tsunoda, will step into Lawson’s seat at Visa Cash App Racing Bulls team.
It was in 2023 at the same circuit that the Kiwi driver replaced Scuderia Alpha Tauri’s Daniel Ricciardo who broke a metacarpal bone in his left hand having crashed in FP2. Lawson’s debut raised eyebrows due to his consistency under pressure with just one practice session (FP3) before qualifying and in changing wet conditions.
Having qualified 20th (last) Lawson finished in 13th ahead of teammate Yuki Tsunoda in 15th in a rain affected race.
At this stage it is not known how long the recovery will be for Hadjar but it presents Lawson with another opportunity with the top Red Bull backed F1 team who he previously parted ways after just two Grand Prix at the beginning of 2025.
This weekend’s round is the 12th for the 2026 season and the fifth race to utilise the Sprint Race format. The 2026 edition is set to be the final Dutch Grand Prix under the promoter’s current agreement with Formula One, after the promoter decided not to continue hosting the event beyond 2026.
Teams’ Standings
1/ Mercedes 379
2/ Ferrari 307
3/ McLaren 220
4/ Red Bull Racing 177
5/ Racing Bulls 66
6/ Alpine 61
7/ Haas F1 Team 21
8/ Audi 12
9/ Williams 11
10/ Aston Martin 1
11/ Cadillac 0
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