Isack Hadjar opted out of the Dutch Grand Prix after the MotoGP champion Marc Marquez counselled him against racing with a bruised wrist, a decision that reflects a hard‑learned lesson from Marquez’s own injury history.
Marquez’s mentorship and Hadjar’s recovery plan
Hadjar, eager to debut at Zandvoort, had sustained a wrist injury a week before the event and consulted team principal Laurent Kwe, Red Bull’s former athlete, and Marquez. Marquez warned that racing early could aggravate the injury and jeopardise a long‑term career.
“I’m not a doctor, but sometimes, a rider or driver feels they can push on,” Marquez said. “Accepting a missed race preserves a season, whereas an early comeback can change a life.”
Having endured a broken arm in 2020 during a high‑side at Jerez, Marquez recalled how the initial surgery and a premature return led to additional surgeries and a prolonged recovery, reinforcing his cautionary advice.
The decision left Liam Lawson promoted from Racing Bulls to fill Hadjar’s seat, with Yuki Tsunoda switching to the sister team. Hadjar’s return remains pending, with the next Formula 1 round at Monza scheduled for 6 September.
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