Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has confirmed that the squad will keep Isack Hadjar's recovery as the top priority, opting not to rush his return to competition. The team plans to conduct a series of assessments, including a simulator run, before deciding whether the French driver will be fit enough to race at next weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Hadjar has been sidelined for three consecutive events after sustaining a wrist injury during a routine training session that took place just before the sport resumed following its summer hiatus. In his absence, Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson has been drafted in to fill the vacant seat. Mekies spoke after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, reassuring fans and the media that Hadjar's rehabilitation is proceeding according to schedule.
He outlined a plan that involves a full week—actually a little over a week—of monitoring the young driver's condition, followed by a dedicated simulator session designed to replicate the physical demands of a street‑circuit race like Baku. "There is nothing wrong with Isack's recovery.
It is exactly the kind of timeline we would expect for the type of injury he has suffered," Mekies said. "We will stick with the approach we have been using, and we will re‑evaluate the situation in a week's time." He added that the team will use the simulator to expose Hadjar to realistic constraints, allowing the medical staff and engineers to gauge his comfort level and strength. "If he feels close to 100 per cent, we will give him the green light.
If he indicates that his wrist has not fully healed, we will continue to put his long‑term health first," Mekies explained. "We do not want an early comeback to jeopardise his ability to perform at full capacity later on." The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which takes place on the narrow, high‑speed streets of Baku, will start a day earlier than usual this year, with practice scheduled for Wednesday and the race on Saturday. It marks the opening round of a three‑weekend sprint that will see the championship move to Malaysia and Singapore for the following two events. Liam Lawson, who stepped up from the sister team Racing Bulls, has taken on the responsibility of driving the Red Bull RB19 in Hadjar's stead.
Lawson previously enjoyed a brief stint in a senior Red Bull car at the start of the previous season, and his recent performances have been solid. He qualified eighth on two occasions and secured points finishes at both Zandvoort and the Madrid street circuit, 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 on short notice, and Liam has met and even exceeded our expectations. He collected valuable points in Madrid with a sixth‑place finish and delivered a similar performance in Zandvoort.
In Monza, he would likely have achieved comparable results if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg that caused damage to the car." Mekies highlighted the contrast between Lawson's current form and his early‑season outings in 2025, noting the significant improvement. "He has rebuilt his confidence at Racing Bulls over the past year and was already enjoying a consistent points‑scoring season before this unexpected call‑up to the senior Red Bull seat," Mekies said.
The team principal also commented on Lawson's development as a driver, emphasizing his calm demeanor and focus. "He is very composed in the car and concentrates on the fundamentals. He keeps things simple, works closely with the team, and consistently hits the basics right.
With more time behind the wheel, he can add a higher degree of finesse, but his foundation is already very strong," Mekies observed. Looking ahead, Red Bull will continue to monitor Hadjar's progress throughout the week.
The upcoming simulator session will be a crucial indicator of whether the Frenchman can safely re‑join the grid for the Baku race or if the team will opt to extend his recovery period. In either case, the overarching goal remains the same: to ensure that Hadjar returns to full fitness without compromising his long‑term performance potential. Fans can follow the live action of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which kicks off the triple‑header of races from September 24‑26, on Sky Sports F1. The race will be streamed via NOW, offering a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time.