Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekane reiterated that the French driver Isack Hadjar’s rehabilitation will remain the top priority, and the squad will not rush him back to the cockpit before he is fully ready. The decision on whether Hadjar can compete at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be taken after a series of assessments, including a dedicated simulator session, later this week. Hadjar has been absent from the last three rounds after hurting his wrist during a routine training run that took place just before the sport resumed following the summer hiatus. In his stead, Racing Bulls’ regular driver Liam Lawson has stepped into the seat, giving the New Zealander a chance to showcase his talent once again.
Speaking to the press after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, Mekane said the recovery plan is proceeding exactly as expected. He highlighted that a simulator run scheduled for the coming days will provide valuable data on Hadjar’s readiness for a potential return in Baku.
"There is nothing wrong with Isack’s recovery. It appears to be following the normal timeline for the type of injury he sustained," Mekane explained. "We will keep the same approach we have been using and, after a week’s observation, make a decision." He added that the team now has a little more than a full week to monitor the young driver’s condition, gauge how he feels, and then put him through a realistic simulator exercise that mimics the physical constraints of a race car.
"If he feels close to 100 percent, we will let him go. If he feels his recovery is still incomplete, we will stick to our policy of putting his health first," Mekane said.
The Red Bull outfit emphasized that an early comeback could jeopardise Hadjar’s long‑term ability to perform at his peak, and they are unwilling to risk that for short‑term gains. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which takes place on the street circuit in Baku, will start a day earlier than usual this year, with practice sessions scheduled for Wednesday and the race on Saturday. It kicks off a three‑race swing that will continue with events in Malaysia and Singapore over the following two weekends.
While Hadjar recovers, Lawson has been promoted from the sister team, Racing Bulls, to fill the vacant seat. Lawson previously tasted a brief stint in a senior Red Bull car at the start of last season, a period that ended abruptly after just two races. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda continues to race for Racing Bulls. Lawson’s performance this season has been impressive.
He has twice qualified in the top ten, securing eighth place on both occasions, and has scored points at Zandvoort and Madrid, where he finished sixth. Mekane praised Lawson’s adaptability, noting the challenges of moving to a different team and a different chassis.
"He has done a very good job," Mekane said. "We all know how difficult it is to jump to a new team and a new car, and he has met, if not exceeded, our expectations. He earned valuable points in Madrid with a P6 finish, repeated that consistency in Zandvoort, and would have likely done the same in Monza if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg that caused damage." Mekane continued, "The pictures are very different compared to the first races of 2025 when he first joined us, and we are grateful for his contributions." Over the past year, Lawson has rebuilt his confidence and form at Racing Bulls, enjoying a steady points‑scoring run before his unexpected call‑up to the senior Red Bull team. Mekane, who has worked with Lawson across both Red Bull outfits, observed that the driver has continued to develop.
"He remains calm in the car and highly focused," Mekane noted. "He may not always be consciously trying to improve, but he certainly keeps things simple in his communication with the team and his approach to extracting performance from the car. He concentrates on the fundamentals, gets the basics right, and that strategy is clearly paying off. With more time in the car, he can add another layer of finesse, but his current strength is already very impressive." The upcoming Azerbaijan race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, marking the start of a triple‑header weekend that runs from September 24‑26.
Viewers can stream the action via NOW, with a flexible subscription that can be cancelled at any time. In summary, Red Bull is taking a cautious, methodical approach to Hadjar’s wrist injury, opting to evaluate his condition thoroughly before making a decision about his participation in Baku. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson’s solid performances have provided the team with a reliable stand‑in, allowing the French driver the time he needs to recover fully without compromising his long‑term prospects.