Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies reiterated that the squad will keep Isack Hadjar's rehabilitation as the top priority, refusing to accelerate his comeback merely to fill a grid spot. The team intends to conduct a series of assessments, including a simulator run, before deciding whether the French driver will be fit to race at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Hadjar has been absent from the paddock for the past three events after injuring his wrist during a routine training session that took place just before the sport resumed following its summer hiatus. In his place, Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson has stepped into the Red Bull seat, while Yuki Tsunoda continues to race for the sister team.
Speaking to the media after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, Mekies confirmed that the recovery timetable is proceeding as expected. He added that a simulator session scheduled for the coming week will provide a realistic gauge of Hadjar's readiness for a potential return in Baku. "There is nothing wrong with Isack's recovery. We have learned that this type of injury follows a fairly standard healing curve," Mekies explained.
"Consequently, we will maintain our current approach and continue to monitor his progress closely." He emphasized that the team has just over a week to evaluate the situation, observing how the driver feels and then testing him in the virtual environment to replicate the physical demands of a race weekend. "If he feels close to 100 percent, we will give him the green light.
If he indicates that he is not yet fully recovered, we will stick to our principle of putting his health first," Mekies said. "We do not want an early return to jeopardise his long‑term ability to perform at his best." The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which takes place on Baku's street circuit, will start a day earlier than usual, with practice sessions scheduled for Wednesday and the race on Saturday. This event marks the first leg of a three‑race swing that will continue with Malaysia and Singapore on the following weekends.
Lawson, who moved up from the sister Racing Bulls team to cover for Hadjar, has already shown he can adapt quickly. He previously held a brief two‑race stint with Red Bull at the start of the last season, and his recent performances have been encouraging. In Zandvoort and Madrid he qualified eighth on both occasions and secured points finishes, including a sixth‑place result in Madrid.
"I think he's done a very good job," Mekies praised. "Switching to a different team and a different car is never easy, but he has met, and in some cases exceeded, our expectations. He collected valuable points in Madrid with a P6, replicated that performance in Zandvoort, and would have likely 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 team and his current form, expressing gratitude for his contributions. "He has rebuilt his confidence and consistency at Racing Bulls over the past year, and he was already enjoying a steady points‑scoring season before this unexpected senior call‑up," Mekies added.
"He continues to grow as a driver. He remains calm in the car, focused, and keeps things simple when working with the team and extracting performance from the machinery." According to Mekies, Lawson's approach centres on mastering the fundamentals.
"He concentrates on the basics, gets the essentials right, and that strategy is paying off. With more time in the car, he can add a higher degree of finesse, but his current foundation is already very strong," the team principal said.
The upcoming race weekend will therefore serve as a crucial decision point for Hadjar. The team will use his feedback, medical reports, and the simulator data to determine whether he can safely rejoin the grid without compromising his long‑term health. Fans can follow the live action on Sky Sports F1, which will broadcast the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as part of a triple‑header that runs from September 24‑26. The race will be streamed via NOW, offering a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time.