Isack Hadjar✕ Karun Chandhok✕ Liam Lawson✕ ✕
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Max Verstappen's recent contract renewal with Red Bull has sent ripples through the Formula 1 community, particularly affecting the futures of drivers like Oscar Piastri and Liam Lawson. The announcement, which was kept under wraps until its release, suggests that Verstappen's new deal could make him the highest-paid driver in the sport's history, securing his position with Red Bull until 2028. This development alleviates speculation about his potential departure, which could have jeopardized Piastri's role at McLaren.
Piastri's performance has been under scrutiny, especially as he has been outperformed by teammate Lando Norris. The uncertainty surrounding Verstappen's future had added pressure on Piastri, but with that speculation now settled, he showed signs of improvement in recent races. Meanwhile, Lawson, who has faced challenges in gaining trust at Red Bull, is also navigating his own career path amid these developments.
PlanetF1 Mon 24 Aug · 05:00 UTC via PlanetF1 Winners and losers from the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix Qualifying The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix qualifying session highlighted notable performances and struggles among drivers. Liam Lawson emerged as a key winner, qualifying eighth and demonstrating significant improvement in his driving confidence and skill with the Red Bull RB22. Meanwhile, Lando Norris took pole position, showcasing his strong form, while Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc faced challenges with tyre warm-up and engine settings, respectively, resulting in fifth and sixth place finishes. Aston Martin's drivers struggled significantly, failing to escape Q1, indicating ongoing issues with their car's drivability and power despite recent updates.
The qualifying results set the stage for an intriguing race, with Lawson's performance potentially influencing Red Bull's future driver decisions. Norris's pole position places him in a strong position to capitalize on track position at Zandvoort, a circuit known for its difficulty in overtaking. The contrasting fortunes of teams and drivers during qualifying reflect the competitive nature of the season as they head into the race, with each team looking to maximize their performance and address ongoing challenges. PlanetF1 Sun 23 Aug · 05:00 UTC via Motorsport.com Max Verstappen: Smaller team-mate gaps are down to "easier" cars as Andrea Stella disagrees Max Verstappen expressed that the smaller gaps between team-mates in the 2026 Formula 1 season are due to the easier handling of the new cars. He noted that during the Dutch Grand Prix, both Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda performed admirably, showcasing the reduced differences in qualifying times among drivers. Verstappen believes this trend of close competition has been evident throughout the season, with drivers often separated by mere tenths of a second.
In contrast, Andrea Stella, the McLaren team principal, disagreed with Verstappen's assessment, arguing that the current cars remain challenging to drive. He pointed out that the new power unit regulations have introduced additional complexities, making it difficult for drivers to predict car behavior. Stella emphasized that despite advancements in handling, the chassis-related challenges persist, making the cars less forgiving compared to their predecessors. Motorsport.com Sat 22 Aug · 18:56 UTC via grandprix.com Marquez advice helped keep Hadjar out of Dutch GP Isack Hadjar, a Red Bull driver, decided not to participate in the Dutch Grand Prix due to a wrist injury, following advice from MotoGP champion Marc Marquez. The injury, a hairline fracture, occurred during boxing training, and the team is treating his absence as a precaution to ensure his recovery. Red Bull's team principal emphasized the importance of not taking risks with Hadjar's health, especially after a strong performance in the first half of the season.
Liam Lawson has stepped in to replace Hadjar for this race, while Yuki Tsunoda has returned to the Racing Bulls team. The situation complicates Red Bull's driver planning for 2027, with both Lawson and Arvid Lindblad performing well, and Formula 2 leader Nikola Tsolov also pushing for a promotion. The team is focused on ensuring Hadjar's return to racing as soon as he is fit. grandprix.com Sat 22 Aug · 12:18 UTC Mercedes
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via Motorsport.comWho slept best last night: Liam LawsonLiam Lawson had a notable performance during his third race with Red Bull at Zandvoort, qualifying closely behind Max Verstappen and finishing seventh, which earned him points. This race was a stark contrast to his previous stint in 2025, where he struggled significantly and failed to score any points.
The article reflects on Lawson's journey, highlighting the challenges he faced when initially promoted to Red Bull and the pressure he was under. It suggests that his recent performance may indicate that the RB21 car suits his driving style better than before, and questions the decisions made by Red Bull regarding driver placements in the past.
Mon 24 Aug · 05:21 UTC
via PlanetF1Dutch GP Conclusions: No tears for Zandvoort, Verstappen power play, Lawson makes his case
