Isack Hadjar has given encouraging news regarding the wrist injury that forced him to miss the Dutch Grand Prix and is optimistic about returning this weekend in Monza.
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The Red Bull driver is recovering quickly and is now optimistic about his chances of getting back in his car as early as the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
Injured during the summer break, Hadjar was forced to withdraw from Zandvoort. A completely unusual situation for the 21-year-old Frenchman, who had never before missed a race due to injury in his career.
A faster recovery than expected
Despite his withdrawal, Hadjar stayed with Red Bull during the Dutch weekend (photo above). Still wearing a wrist brace, he admitted that watching his competitors from the garage was particularly frustrating.
“Actually, this is my very first injury, in my whole life, in my entire career, no matter how you want to call it, explains Hadjar. It’s strange to be on the sidelines and I’m not happy about it, for myself or for the team. Obviously, I want to be present at every lap.”
The news about his physical condition is nevertheless encouraging. Hadjar notes a daily improvement in the mobility of his wrist: “It’s not swollen, which is very positive. It’s a good sign. Actually, it’s healing quickly. Every day, I regain a bit more mobility and I’m hopeful for Monza.”
The Frenchman still has a few days to continue his recovery before the start of the Italian Grand Prix, scheduled from September 4 to 6.
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Lawson just in case
Neither Red Bull nor Hadjar have officially confirmed his participation yet. The driver will naturally have to be sufficiently recovered to withstand the physical demands imposed by a Formula 1 car throughout the weekend.
In Hadjar’s absence, Red Bull had temporarily recalled Liam Lawson, allowing the New Zealander to rejoin the main team. Lawson perfectly fulfilled his mission by finishing seventh and scoring six points. Laurent Mekies notably praised his ability to quickly adapt to a different car and environment.
“For Liam, it’s never easy to switch from one team to another, explained the Red Bull boss. He took the points we could get. In qualifying, he also did a very good job being very close to Max and we thank him for managing to adapt so quickly to the team.”
This performance gives Red Bull a reliable solution in case Hadjar is ultimately not sufficiently recovered for Monza. But the latest statements from the Frenchman make this scenario less and less likely. The absence of swelling and the gradual return of mobility are encouraging signs just days before the Italian event.
Currently eighth in the championship with 68 points, Hadjar hopes to resume his season as early as Monza and avoid a second consecutive weekend on the sidelines. The final decision will now depend on the evolution of his wrist in the coming days.
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