Isack Hadjar lengthy injury absence defended as Liam Lawson again waits

Nico Rosberg has defended Isack Hadjar in light of the Red Bull driver coming under fire for his lengthy absence following a wrist injury over the F1 summer break.

Whilst boxing training, it is understood that Red Bull driver Hadjar fractured his wrist punching a heavy bag in the gym.

The injury has forced the Frenchman to miss the last three grands prix in the Netherlands, Italy, and most recently, the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, with Liam Lawson deputising on each occasion.

Speaking on Sky Sports F1 during the Madring weekend, Rosberg pushed back on criticism of the 21-year-old, drawing a comparison with Lance Stroll's 2023 pre-season cycling accident.

"It's really horrible to drive with a wrist injury," said Rosberg.

"We've seen Lance Stroll do that a few years ago, incredibly, and because of the G-forces and everything, it's so extreme.

"And especially, what you don't really think about is when you're braking, you fly forwards in the seat belts, and you have to push against the steering wheel because otherwise your body just flies forwards, and you wouldn't want to hang in the seat belt like that.

"So you're pushing very hard against the steering wheel, which, if your wrist is broken, you can't do that; you'll be in too much pain."

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The Stroll precedent

Stroll fractured both wrists, along with a partial fracture to his left hand and a broken toe, after crashing during road cycling training in Spain in February 2023. He still raced two weeks later at the Bahrain Grand Prix, finishing sixth.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has insisted there is no cause for alarm over Hadjar's recovery, stating the timeline remains normal for the injury he sustained.

"There is nothing wrong with Isack's recovery," said Mekies. "We will evaluate the situation in a week... to put him on the simulator, to expose him to real-life constraints.

"If he feels close to 100 per cent, we go for it; if he feels the recovery is not completed, we will stick to our approach to put his recovery first."

Lawson, who has covered for Hadjar throughout the layoff, conceded the uncertainty around his own role for Baku is taking a toll.

"It's possible the decision about which car I'll drive in Baku won't be made until Wednesday or Thursday," he said.

"It's psychologically challenging to prepare when you still don't know what car you'll be driving. The more I drive this car, the more comfortable I feel, and going back to another one will be difficult."