Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekhié has made it clear that the French driver Isack Hadjar's recovery will remain the top priority, and the team will not rush him back onto the grid before he is fully ready. The organisation has set up a series of assessments, including a simulator run, to gauge Hadjar's condition before deciding whether he can compete in the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Hadjar has been absent from the last three Formula One events after hurting his wrist during a routine training session that took place just as the sport was gearing up for the post‑summer break. In his place, Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson has stepped into the seat, giving the team a stop‑gap solution while the Frenchman recuperates.
Speaking after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, Mekhié said that the healing process is progressing as expected. He outlined that a simulator session scheduled for the coming week will serve as a practical test of Hadjar's physical readiness and his ability to handle the specific demands of a street circuit like Baku. "There is nothing wrong with Isack's recovery.
We have learned that the timeline we are seeing is typical for the type of injury he sustained," Mekhié explained. "Therefore, we will maintain the same approach and continue to monitor his progress closely." He added that the team has a little more than a week to evaluate the situation. "We will watch how he feels, put him in the simulator to expose him to real‑world constraints, and then make a decision.
If he feels near 100 per cent, we will let him race. If he still senses that the recovery is incomplete, we will stick to our principle of putting his health first.
The last thing we want is to bring him back too early and jeopardise his long‑term performance." The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which takes place on the 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‑race sprint that will see the calendar move to Malaysia and Singapore over the following two weekends.
In the meantime, Lawson has been promoted from the sister team Racing Bulls to fill Hadjar's seat at the senior Red Bull outfit. The New Zealander previously enjoyed a brief two‑race stint with the team at the start of the previous season, and his return has been welcomed by the paddock.
Yuki Tsunoda continues to race for Racing Bulls. Lawson's performance has been commendable. He has qualified eighth on two occasions and has scored points at both Zandvoort and the Madrid circuit, where he finished sixth.
Mekhié praised his substitute driver, noting the difficulty of adapting to a new car and team mid‑season. "He has done a very good job," Mekhié said. "Switching to a different team and a different car is never easy, but he has met, and in some cases exceeded, our expectations.
He earned valuable points in Madrid with a sixth‑place finish and repeated that strong showing in Zandvoort. In Monza, he would have likely achieved a similar result if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg that caused damage." The team principal highlighted the contrast between Lawson's early 2025 outings and his current form, expressing gratitude for his contributions. "The picture is completely different from the first races of 2025 when he first joined us. We are very happy with his progress and the points he has brought us." Lawson's confidence has been rebuilding over the past year at Racing Bulls, and his consistent points‑scoring before this unexpected senior call‑up demonstrated his readiness for a higher challenge.
Mekhié, who has worked with Lawson across both Red Bull teams, added further insight into the driver's development. "He continues to grow as a driver," Mekhié observed.
"He remains calm behind the wheel and highly focused. He keeps things simple, both in his communication with the team and in how he approaches the car's performance. By concentrating on the fundamentals, he is delivering solid results.
With more time in the car, we expect him to add a higher level of finesse to his driving, but even now his performance is very strong." Looking ahead, the team will use the next week to complete a thorough medical and performance review of Hadjar. The simulator will replicate the unique challenges of Baku's narrow streets, high‑speed sections, and tight corners, allowing the medical staff to monitor his wrist's response under realistic stress.
Should any discomfort arise, the decision will be to keep him sidelined until full recovery is confirmed. Red Bull's cautious approach reflects a broader trend in Formula One, where teams are increasingly prioritising driver welfare over short‑term gains. The physical demands of modern F1 cars, combined with the intense schedule, mean that a premature return can lead to chronic issues that affect a driver's career longevity.
Fans can look forward to the Azerbaijan race being broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through NOW. The event marks the beginning of a thrilling triple‑header weekend that will see three consecutive races across three different continents, testing teams' logistics, strategy, and adaptability. In summary, Red Bull remains committed to a measured, health‑first strategy for Isack Hadjar, while praising Liam Lawson's seamless integration into the senior team.
The upcoming week will be decisive, and the decision to race or rest Hadjar will be based on data, driver feedback, and the overarching goal of ensuring he returns to full strength without compromising his future performance.