Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekhiès confirmed that the French driver Isack Hadjar’s rehabilitation will remain the top priority, and the squad will not rush him back onto the grid before he is fully ready. The team has scheduled a series of assessments, including a simulator run, to decide whether Hadjar can take part in the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Hadjar has been absent from the last three rounds after injuring his wrist during a routine training session that took place just before the championship resumed from its summer hiatus. In his place, Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson stepped into the Red Bull seat for the Spanish Grand Prix and the two subsequent events.
Speaking after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, Mekhiès said that the driver’s recovery was proceeding according to the plan laid out by the medical staff. He added that a simulator session scheduled for the coming week will help the engineers gauge how the Frenchman copes with the physical demands of a race car and whether he can handle the unique challenges of the Baku street circuit. "There is nothing wrong with Isack’s recovery.
We have learned that his type of injury follows a fairly typical timeline," Mekhiès explained. "Therefore we will keep the same measured approach we have been using. "We have just over a week to monitor his condition, to see how he feels and then to put him in the simulator so we can expose him to realistic constraints. If he feels close to 100 percent, we will let him race.
If he feels his recovery is not yet complete, we will stick to our principle of putting his health first. "What we do not want is to bring him back too early and jeopardise his long‑term ability to perform at 100 percent." The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, contested on the demanding Baku street circuit, will start a day earlier than usual this year, with practice scheduled for Wednesday and the race on Saturday. This event kicks off a three‑race sprint that will see the championship move to Malaysia and then Singapore over the following two weekends. Lawson, who was promoted from the sister team Racing Bulls, has now filled Hadjar’s seat for a second stint.
The New Zealander previously enjoyed a brief two‑race spell with Red Bull at the start of the previous season. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda continues to race for Racing Bulls.
Lawson’s performance has been impressive. He qualified eighth on two occasions and secured points finishes at both Zandvoort and the Spanish race in Madrid, where he finished sixth. Mekhiès praised his substitute effort, noting the difficulty of adapting to a new car and a new team on short notice.
"He has done a very good job," Mekhiès said. "We all know how challenging it is to jump into a different team and a different car, and he has met, if not exceeded, our expectations. He collected valuable points in Madrid with a P6, repeated that consistency in Zandvoort, and would likely have done the same in Monza if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg that caused damage. "His performances are a stark contrast to the early part of the 2025 season when he first joined us, and we are very pleased with his progress." Over the past year, Lawson has rebuilt his confidence and form at Racing Bulls, enjoying a steady stream of points finishes before being called up to the senior Red Bull team.
Mekhiès, who has worked closely with Lawson at both Red Bull outfits, highlighted the driver’s composure and focus. "He continues to grow as a driver," Mekhiès added. "He is calm in the car and very focused.
He keeps things simple, both in how he works with the team and how he approaches his own performance and the car’s behaviour. He concentrates on the fundamentals, gets the basics right, and that is yielding results. With more time in the car, he can add another layer of finesse, but his foundation is already very strong." The upcoming race weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix marking the start of a three‑race stretch from 24 to 26 September. Fans can stream the action via NOW, with flexible subscription terms that allow cancellation at any time.
In summary, Red Bull is taking a cautious, data‑driven approach to Hadjar’s return, using medical checks and simulator work to ensure he is truly ready before stepping back into competition. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson’s solid substitute performances have reinforced his reputation as a reliable and adaptable driver, giving the team confidence that they have a capable stand‑in should Hadjar need additional time to recover.