Racing Bulls concede to ‘not ideal’ driver swap headache

Racing Bulls team boss Alan Permane has admitted the disruption to its driver line-up is "not ideal".

Isack Hadjar's wrist injury, sustained during the summer break, has ruled him out of two consecutive races for Red Bull Racing. Liam Lawson was called up from Racing Bulls to deputise for Hadjar in the RB22 at Zandvoort and again at Monza.

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull's reserve driver, was subsequently drafted in to fill Lawson's vacant seat at Racing Bulls for both events. The reshuffle has left Permane managing a disrupted garage alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad at a crucial point in the season.

Speaking at Monza, Permane conceded that the situation is far from straightforward, even if the preparation has been smoother the second time around.

"It's been easier this weekend. He [Lawson] knew there was a very big possibility of driving here," Permane told Sky F1.

"Isack did everything he could to come back, but we had simulated sessions planned, so flights were in place, sim sessions in place, and we just had to push the button on them.

"It's not ideal, it's certainly not ideal for us. Liam, whilst he's happy to help, he just says 'I want to get back in my car'.

"I tell him that the seat is there, ready for him as soon as Isack is fit and healthy."

Lawson finished seventh at Zandvoort for Red Bull, using the weekend to familiarise himself with the RB22 and scoring six points despite a 10-second time penalty. 

The New Zealander also provided valuable comparative feedback between the two sister cars, something Permane was keen to highlight.

"He's given us some feedback, and one of the things is that the car has a lot more load," Permane explained. 

"In the high speed, he really feels it. Certainly in Zandvoort, in those very high-speed corners, he said you could really feel the load.

"Ours is a little bit more friendly in the lower-speed mid-to-exit. It might not be as quick, I'm sure it isn't as quick, but I think it's a little bit easier to manage."