Hadjar Ruled Out of Dutch GP After Reckless Attack on Inanimate Object
August 2026
Isack Hadjar will miss the Dutch Grand Prix after injuring his wrist while boxing during Formula One's summer break, prompting Red Bull to question why anyone would voluntarily spend their holiday punching things when they could be lying on a yacht like a normal racing driver.
Hadjar suffered the injury during a boxing session, reportedly after striking a punch bag with sufficient enthusiasm to remind himself that, unlike a Formula One steering wheel, it does not move when you tell it to.
The injury has ruled him out of the race at Zandvoort, forcing Red Bull into the sort of driver reshuffle usually associated with a team that has accidentally misplaced half its drivers.
Liam Lawson was promoted to Hadjar's Red Bull seat, while Yuki Tsunoda was brought back into Lawson's Racing Bulls car. Somewhere in Milton Keynes, a large flowchart has reportedly been erected to explain where everybody is supposed to sit.
Red Bull management is understood to be less than impressed.
The team's summer training programme already includes cycling, running, swimming and various exercises designed to make drivers exceptionally fit while ensuring they never accidentally enjoy themselves.
Boxing was considered acceptable because it was thought unlikely that a Formula One driver would injure himself hitting something that wasn't travelling at 200mph.
That assumption has now been reviewed.
Sources say Red Bull is considering replacing boxing with safer activities, including Pilates, chess and "looking at Max's rear-end".
Hadjar's absence is particularly unfortunate because he has been enjoying an impressive season, sitting eighth in the championship and establishing himself as one of Red Bull's leading drivers.
He is expected to return once his wrist has recovered.
Doctors have reportedly advised him to avoid further contact sports.
Hadjar is believed to have accepted this, although he has apparently asked whether punching a wall after seeing his qualifying time counts.
The answer, according to Red Bull's medical department, is yes.
The team has also issued a reminder to all drivers that Formula One already provides numerous opportunities to experience pain, disappointment and sudden impacts without having to schedule them into the training programme.
Meanwhile, Lawson will drive the Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen at Zandvoort, meaning Red Bull has once again demonstrated its extraordinary ability to solve one problem by creating three new ones.
The team is reportedly considering introducing a new summer-break rule for 2027.
Drivers will be allowed to rest, swim, play golf or sit quietly in a darkened room.
They will not be allowed to punch anything.
Especially if it punches back.
