Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies reiterated that the team will keep Isack Hadjar's rehabilitation at the forefront of their priorities, refusing to rush the French driver back onto the grid before he is fully ready. The decision will be revisited after a series of assessments that will determine whether Hadjar can take part in next weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Hadjar has been sidelined for three consecutive rounds after hurting his wrist during a routine training session that took place just before the sport emerged from its summer hiatus.
In his absence, Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson has been drafted in to fill the vacant seat. Speaking to the media after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, Mekies explained that Hadjar's recovery is proceeding according to the schedule the team set out. He added that a simulator run has been arranged to gauge the driver's condition and to see how the wrist handles the physical stresses of a full race weekend in Baku.
"There is nothing wrong with Isack's recovery. We have learned that his injury is exactly the type that follows a normal healing timeline," Mekies said. "Therefore we will maintain the same approach we have been using. "We will re‑evaluate the situation in about a week, give him a little more than a full week to see how he feels, and then put him in the simulator to expose him to realistic constraints.
If he feels close to 100 percent, we will give him the green light. If he feels the healing is still incomplete, we will stick to our original plan and keep his recovery as the top priority. "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, staged on the demanding street circuit of Baku, will start a day earlier than usual this year, with practice scheduled for Wednesday and the race on Saturday.
This event marks the first leg of a three‑race sprint that will continue with Malaysia and Singapore over the following two weekends. Lawson, who was promoted from the sister team Racing Bulls, is stepping into Hadjar's seat for the first time since a brief, ill‑fated two‑race stint at the beginning of the previous season. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda continues to race for Racing Bulls.
Lawson has already shown his worth, qualifying eighth on two occasions and scoring points at both Zandvoort and Madrid, where he finished sixth. "I think he's done a very good job," Mekies praised. "We all know how difficult it is to jump to a different team and a different car, and he has exceeded our expectations.
"He collected important points in Madrid with a P6 finish, repeated the performance in Zandvoort, and would have done the same in Monza if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg that caused damage." Mekies highlighted the stark contrast between Lawson's early 2025 outings with the senior team and his current form, noting the progress the driver has made in confidence and consistency. "He has rebuilt his form and confidence at Racing Bulls over the past year and was already enjoying a steady points‑scoring season before his unexpected temporary return to Red Bull." "I think he has continued to grow as a driver," Mekies added, recalling his time working with Lawson at both Red Bull outfits.
"He's very calm in the car, very focused. He keeps things simple in his communication with the team and in how he approaches the car's performance. "He concentrates on the basics, gets the fundamentals right, and that is paying off.
With more time in the car, he can add another layer of finesse, but his current foundation is already very strong." The upcoming race weekend will be a crucial test for both teams. Red Bull will monitor Hadjar's progress closely, using the simulator data and his physical feedback to decide whether he can safely rejoin the grid. Meanwhile, Lawson will have the opportunity to showcase his adaptability and score valuable points for the team in a high‑profile event.
Fans can follow the live action on Sky Sports F1, where the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will kick off the triple‑header from September 24‑26. The race will be streamed via NOW, with a flexible subscription that can be cancelled at any time.