Lawson to Replace Hadjar Again at Monza: Red Bull's Driver Depth Under Scrutiny

Monza, Italy – The data from Zandvoort is still there: Liam Lawson finished 7th in a Red Bull, a result not many reserve drivers can replicate in their first opportunity. But what stands out more is not that number, but the fact that the Austrian team has once again placed its trust in the New Zealander for this weekend's race at Monza, replacing Isack Hadjar – who is still recovering from a wrist injury. The context of this replacement is not overly complex. Hadjar suffered a wrist injury and has been confirmed to sit out a second consecutive round. Red Bull, instead of looking for an external option, decided to reshuffle internally: Lawson was promoted from Racing Bulls to the senior team, while Yuki Tsunoda – who lost his full-time seat at the end of the 2026 season – will take the Racing Bulls seat that Lawson left behind. A closed-loop chain of replacements, showing that Red Bull's driver development system operates like a machine designed for emergencies. From a data perspective, Lawson's performance at Zandvoort is the most important highlight. A reserve driver called up at the last minute, with little time to acclimatize to the car, yet still bringing the RB21 home in the points. This not only reflects individual capability but also shows the level of compatibility between Lawson and the working environment at Red Bull. He has spent a long time within the system, understands how the team operates, and more importantly, knows how to communicate car information accurately. In a paddock where mental stability is often undervalued, Lawson is proving he possesses what many young drivers lack: composure. I start from youth team data; every number is a drumbeat before kickoff. And when I look at Lawson's numbers over the years, I notice something: he has never been the kind of driver who explodes in a 'sunny day' style, but rather someone who maintains consistent performance across rounds. He doesn't have spectacular laps to create highlights, but he also rarely makes serious mistakes. In a system where the car is often designed around Max Verstappen, a driver who can adapt quickly and maintain a steady rhythm is a valuable asset. This becomes even more significant as Red Bull faces pressure from rivals at the front. However, there is a counter-intuitive perspective that few mention: Lawson being given consecutive opportunities is not merely a stopgap solution. It is a signal about the internal order within Red Bull's development system. If Hadjar were only missing one round, calling up Lawson could be seen as the quickest option. But when he is retained for a second race, it shows Red Bull is giving Lawson a certain preference. He is not just filling a gap; he is being given the chance to prove he deserves a long-term full-time seat. This could be an extended test, and Monza – a high-speed circuit with heavy braking zones – will be a completely different challenge compared to Zandvoort. The stadium falls silent; I learn to hear the team through pages of notes. And in my notes about Tsunoda, I see a different story. The Japanese driver was once criticized for lacking consistency, but the fact that he was called back to Racing Bulls as soon as an opportunity arose shows Red Bull has not completely given up on him. This is a short-term audition, but if Tsunoda performs well, the door to a full-time return in 2026 could open. Conversely, if he fails to capitalize on this opportunity, it could be the last time he appears in an F1 car. The pressure is weighing on Tsunoda's shoulders, and how he handles it will say a lot about his future. The World Cup door opens through a relationship; but I keep it through consistency. For Red Bull, that consistency is squad depth. They can lose a driver to injury but still have a replacement capable of scoring points. They can lose a full-time seat but still have someone ready to return. This creates a competitive advantage that not every team possesses. While many teams struggle to find a reserve driver of sufficient caliber, Red Bull has a 'reserve pool' with at least three names who can get into the car at any time. A team's rhythm is not born on the track, but maintained on rainy days. And Red Bull's rainy days are coming, not because they are weakening, but because they have to make important personnel decisions for the future. Lawson could be part of that plan, or he could just be a temporary solution. But if he continues to score points at Monza, the story will no longer stop at 'a reserve driver doing his job well'. It will become 'a young talent demanding a worthy position'. And that is when Red Bull will have to make a choice. People write about goals; I write about the silence before the ball hits the net. The silence of Monza this weekend will be in qualifying, where Lawson will for the first time go head-to-head with Verstappen in the same car. If the gap between the two is within 0.3 seconds, that will be a very clear signal. If Lawson beats Verstappen, it will be a shock. But whatever the result, this race will provide an important dataset for Red Bull in planning the future. And for me, that is what is most worth waiting for.