Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has confirmed that the French driver Isack Hadjar will continue to receive a measured, cautious rehabilitation programme rather than being rushed back onto the grid. The team plans to assess his condition in the coming days before deciding if he will be fit to compete at next weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Hadjar has been sidelined for the last three rounds after he suffered a wrist injury during a routine training session just before the sport resumed after the summer hiatus. In his absence, Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson has stepped into the seat, providing a stop‑gap solution while the team monitors Hadjar’s progress. Speaking after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, Mekies explained that Hadjar’s recovery is proceeding according to the schedule they set out. The team intends to run a simulator session to gauge how the Frenchman feels and to test his ability to handle the physical demands of a Formula 1 car before making any final call about his participation in Baku.
"There is nothing wrong with Isack's recovery. I think we have learned that it is a fairly normal timeframe for the type of injury he has sustained," Mekies said. "So we will keep using the same approach we have been following." He added that the team will take a full week – a little more than seven days – to monitor the situation, checking how the driver feels and then putting him into the simulator to expose him to realistic constraints. "If he feels close to 100 percent, we will go for it.
If he feels the recovery is not yet complete, we will stick to our approach and put his health first," Mekies emphasized. "What we do not want is to bring him back too early and jeopardise his long‑term ability to return at full strength." The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, set 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 marks the opening of a three‑week triple‑header that will continue with races in Malaysia and Singapore the following weekends.
While Hadjar recovers, Lawson has moved up from the sister team Racing Bulls to fill the vacant Red Bull seat. The New Zealander previously held a brief two‑race stint with the senior team at the start of the last season, and his return comes as Yuki Tsunoda continues to drive for Racing Bulls. Lawson has already shown his worth, qualifying eighth on two occasions and scoring points at both Zandvoort and the Madrid circuit, where he finished sixth. "I think he's done a very good job," Mekies praised.
"We all know how difficult it is to jump to a different team, a different car, and he has met those challenges far beyond our expectations. He secured important points in Madrid with a P6, repeated the performance in Zandvoort, and would likely have done the same in Monza if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg and the resulting damage." Mekies continued, "So, I think he did a very good job.
The picture is completely different compared with the first races of 2025 when he was with the team, and we are grateful and happy with his contribution." Over the past year Lawson has rebuilt his confidence and form at Racing Bulls, enjoying a consistent points‑scoring run before his unexpected senior‑team call‑up. "I think he has continued to grow as a driver," Mekies added, noting his calmness and focus in the cockpit. "He keeps things simple, tracks well with the team, and tackles both his own performance and the car's capabilities in a straightforward manner. He concentrates on the basics, and that approach is delivering results.
With more time in the car, he can add another layer of finesse, but his foundation is already very strong." The upcoming Azerbaijan race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, kicking off the triple‑header of September 24‑26. Fans can stream the action via NOW, with no long‑term contract required and the ability to cancel at any time.
The race weekend promises intense action on Baku's iconic street layout, and all eyes will be on whether Hadjar will be cleared to return or if Lawson will continue to impress in the senior Red Bull car. In summary, Red Bull is taking a prudent, health‑first stance on Hadjar’s wrist injury, using a combination of medical monitoring and simulator work to decide on his participation. Meanwhile, Lawson’s solid performances have provided a reliable backup, allowing the team to remain competitive as the season moves into a critical stretch of back‑to‑back races across Asia.