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 before he is fully ready. The team plans to assess his condition in the coming days and will decide whether he can take part in the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a thorough evaluation.
Hadjar has been absent from the grid for the past three events after injuring his wrist during a routine training session that took place just before the championship resumed following the summer hiatus. In his stead, Racing Bulls' driver Liam Lawson stepped into the seat, providing the team with a capable stand‑in while Hadjar continues his recovery. Speaking after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, Mekies explained that Hadjar's healing process is proceeding according to schedule. The team intends to run a simulator session with the French driver to gauge his readiness for a potential return in Baku.
"There is nothing wrong with Isack's recovery," Mekes said. "We have learned that the timeline we are seeing is typical for the type of injury he has suffered." Mekies emphasized that Red Bull will maintain its current approach, allowing the medical and performance staff a full week—actually a little more than a week—to monitor Hadjar's progress. "We will see how he feels, then put him in the simulator to expose him to realistic constraints," the team principal explained. "If he feels close to 100 percent, we will give him the green light.
If he feels his recovery is still incomplete, we will stick to our plan and keep his health first. We do not want an early return to jeopardise his long‑term ability to perform at full capacity." The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, contested on the street circuit of Baku, will start a day earlier than usual, with practice scheduled for Wednesday and the race on Saturday.
This event kicks off a three‑week sprint of back‑to‑back races, followed by events in Malaysia and Singapore the subsequent weekends. Lawson, who moved up from the sister team Racing Bulls, has taken over Hadjar's duties for the past three weekends.
He previously filled the seat during a brief two‑race stint at the start of the previous season, which ended abruptly due to circumstances beyond his control. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda continues to drive for Racing Bulls. The New Zealander has already demonstrated 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 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 finish, repeated the performance in Zandvoort, and would have done similarly in Monza if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg and the resulting damage." Mekies added that Lawson's performance this season has been markedly better than his early outings in 2025, when he first joined the team. "The pictures are very different now, and we are grateful and pleased with his progress," the principal said. Over the past year, Lawson has rebuilt his form and confidence at Racing Bulls, enjoying a consistent points‑scoring run before his unexpected call‑up to the senior Red Bull team.
"He continues to grow as a driver," Mekies observed, noting his calm demeanor and focus behind the wheel. "He keeps things simple, works well with the team, and concentrates on the basics, which is clearly paying off.
With more time in the car, he can add another layer of finesse, but his foundation is already very strong." In summary, Red Bull is taking a cautious yet optimistic stance on Hadjar's return. The team will use the next week to monitor his physical condition, run simulator tests, and make a data‑driven decision about his participation in Baku. Meanwhile, Lawson's solid performances have provided the team with a reliable backup, ensuring that the Bulls remain competitive during Hadjar's absence.
Fans can follow the live action of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which marks the start of a triple‑header weekend from September 24‑26, on Sky Sports F1 or via the NOW streaming service, which offers flexible, contract‑free viewing options.