Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekanes explained that the squad will keep focusing on Isack Hadjar's rehabilitation rather than hastening his comeback, with a thorough assessment scheduled before deciding if he will compete at next weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Hadjar has been absent from the last three events after injuring his wrist during a routine training session that took place just before the sport resumed following the summer hiatus. In his stead, Racing Bulls' driver Liam Lawson has been called up to fill the vacant seat.
Mekanes spoke after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, noting that Hadjar's healing process is progressing as expected. The team intends to run a simulator session to gauge the Frenchman's readiness for a possible return in Baku.
"There is nothing wrong with Isack's recovery. It appears to be a typical timeline for the type of injury he sustained," Mekanes said. "Therefore, we will maintain our current approach and continue to monitor the situation." He added that the team will have a full week—actually a little more than a week—to evaluate how Hadjar feels and to put him through a simulated environment that mimics real‑world constraints.
"If he feels close to 100 per cent, we will let him race. If he senses that his recovery is not yet complete, we will stick to our policy of putting his health first.
We do not want an early return to jeopardise his long‑term ability to perform at full capacity," Mekanes emphasized. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, staged on Baku's street circuit, will start a day earlier than usual, with practice sessions scheduled for the upcoming Wednesday and the race itself on Saturday.
This event marks the opening round of a three‑race swing that will continue with Grands Prix in Malaysia and Singapore over the following two weekends. Liam Lawson, who stepped up from the sister team Racing Bulls, has been covering for Hadjar. The New Zealand driver previously held a brief, ill‑fated two‑race stint with the senior Red Bull outfit at the start of last season.
Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda has been piloting the Racing Bulls car. Lawson has already demonstrated his competence, 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," Mekanes praised. "We all know how challenging it is to switch to a different team and a different car, and he has exceeded our expectations. He secured valuable points in Madrid with a P6 finish, repeated that performance in Zandvoort, and would have likely done the same in Monza if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg and the resulting damage." Mekanes continued, "His performance is a stark contrast to the early races of 2025 when he first joined the team, so we are grateful and pleased with his progress." Over the past year, Lawson has rebuilt his form and confidence at Racing Bulls, enjoying a steady points‑scoring campaign before his unexpected temporary promotion to the senior Red Bull seat.
"He continues to develop as a driver," Mekanes observed, noting his calm demeanor and focus behind the wheel. "He keeps things simple in his communication with the team and in how he approaches both his own performance and the car's capabilities. He concentrates on the fundamentals, gets the basics right, and it is clearly paying off.
With more time in the car, he can add another layer of finesse, but his current foundation is already very strong." The upcoming race weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicking off a triple‑header of events from September 24 to 26. Viewers can stream the coverage via NOW, with no long‑term contract required and the option to cancel at any time. The decision to prioritize Hadjar's health reflects Red Bull's broader philosophy of safeguarding driver welfare while maintaining competitive performance, a balance that has become increasingly important in the high‑stakes world of Formula One.