Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies reiterated that the French driver Isack Hadjar’s rehabilitation will remain the top priority, and the team will not rush him back onto the grid. The decision on whether Hadjar will compete at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be made after a series of assessments in the coming week. Hadjar has been absent from the last three rounds after injuring his wrist during a routine training session that took place as the championship resumed from its summer hiatus. In his place, Liam Lawson, who races for the sister team Racing Bulls, has been drafted in to fill the vacant seat.
Mekies spoke after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, confirming that Hadjar’s recovery is proceeding according to the schedule they set. He added that a simulator run has been arranged to gauge the young driver’s readiness for a possible return in Baku. "There is nothing wrong with Isack’s recovery. We have learned that the type of injury he suffered is fairly typical and follows a normal healing timeline," Mekies explained.
"Therefore, we will continue with the same measured approach we have been using." He emphasized that the team will take a full week – a little more than seven days – to monitor Hadjar’s condition, evaluate how he feels, and then put him through a simulator session that mimics the real‑world constraints of a street circuit. "If he feels close to 100 percent, we will give him the green light. If he senses that his recovery is not yet complete, we will stick to our policy of putting his health first," Mekies said. "What we do not want is to bring him back too early and jeopardise his long‑term ability to perform at 100 percent," he added, underlining the team’s commitment to a sustainable return rather than a rushed comeback.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held on the demanding Baku street circuit, will start a day earlier than usual, with practice sessions scheduled for Wednesday and the race on Saturday. This event kicks off a three‑week sprint of back‑to‑back races, as the calendar moves on to Malaysia and Singapore the following weekends.
In the meantime, Liam Lawson has stepped up from Racing Bulls to cover for Hadjar. Lawson previously filled a short‑term seat at Red Bull at the start of last season, and his recent performances have been solid. He qualified eighth on two occasions and scored points at both Zandvoort and the Madrid street race, where he finished sixth. "He has 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 our expectations admirably. He collected valuable points in Madrid with a P6 finish and delivered a similar performance in Zandvoort. In Monza he would likely have done the same if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg that caused damage." Mekies continued, "The pictures are very different compared with the early races of 2025 when he first joined the team, and we are grateful and pleased with his progress." Lawson’s confidence has grown steadily during his time with Racing Bulls.
Before being called up to the senior Red Bull seat, he was enjoying a consistent points‑scoring run. Mekies, who has worked with Lawson at both Red Bull outfits, noted the driver’s calm demeanor and focus. "He is very composed in the car and keeps his attention on the fundamentals.
He may not be making grand gestures, but he has managed to keep things simple in his communication with the team and in how he approaches performance. By concentrating on the basics, he is achieving solid results. With more time in the car, he can add another layer of finesse, but his foundation is already very strong," Mekies said.
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. Fans can stream the coverage via NOW, with a flexible subscription that can be cancelled at any time. In summary, Red Bull is taking a cautious, data‑driven approach to Isack Hadjar’s return, using simulator work and a week‑long health check to decide whether he can safely compete in Baku.
Meanwhile, Liam Lawson has stepped into the role admirably, delivering points and demonstrating that he can adapt quickly to a new car. The team’s overarching goal remains clear: protect the long‑term health and performance of its drivers while staying competitive across a packed three‑race sprint that will test both speed and strategy on some of the sport’s most demanding circuits.