Red Bull’s young French driver Isack Hadjar is slated to make his return to the Formula One grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a three‑race hiatus caused by a wrist injury sustained during his off‑season fitness routine. The 21‑year‑old, who entered the 2026 season as Max Verstappen’s teammate, missed the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds while recovering, but medical assessments now confirm that he is fit to compete again. Hadjar’s injury occurred in August, when the driver was working on his conditioning during the summer break.
A mishap in the gym left him with a strained wrist, forcing the team to withdraw him from the remainder of the summer schedule. Despite the setback, the Frenchman’s debut season had already shown promise.
He earned a podium finish in Monaco, consistently scored points, and quickly became a reliable second driver for Oracle Red Bull Racing. The Baku City Circuit will host his first practice sessions on Thursday, as the race weekend has been shifted a day earlier to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day ceremonies. Red Bull issued a statement on Tuesday morning expressing enthusiasm about Hadjar’s return: "Oracle Red Bull Racing is delighted to welcome Isack back this weekend.
Having made a successful recovery from his wrist injury, Isack will return to action at the Baku City Circuit on Thursday." The tone of the announcement underscored the team’s confidence in the driver’s health and readiness. In Hadjar’s absence, Liam Lawson was promoted from the Racing Bulls squad to fill the vacant seat at Red Bull. Meanwhile, reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into the Racing Bulls car, ensuring the junior team remained competitive.
Red Bull publicly thanked Lawson for his professionalism and dedication over the three races he covered, noting that he delivered "impressive performances" under challenging circumstances. The team also praised Tsunoda for his contributions, acknowledging the valuable points he secured while acting as a stand‑in. The return of Hadjar is significant for the championship battle. Prior to his injury, he was sitting eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 23 points.
Since then, the gap has widened to 49 points, while his deficit to team‑mate Max Verstappen has grown from 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix to 74 points at the start of the Baku weekend. A strong showing in Azerbaijan could help him close those margins and keep his title hopes alive.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix also marks the beginning of a three‑race swing that will see the calendar move to Malaysia and Singapore over the next two weekends. This triple header is expected to shape the latter part of the 2026 season, with teams needing to manage resources, tyre allocations, and strategic planning across three different circuits in quick succession. The official schedule for the Baku weekend is packed with activities: - Wednesday, 23 September: Drivers’ press conference at 11:00 am, followed by the Paddock Uncut at 2:00 pm. - Thursday, 24 September: F2 practice at 6:55 am, first F1 practice session at 9:00 am (official start 9:30 am), F2 qualifying at 10:55 am, Team Bosses’ press conference at 12:00 pm, second practice session at 12:30 pm (official start 1:00 pm), and The F1 Show at 2:15 pm.
- Friday, 25 September: F2 sprint at 5:10 am, third practice session at 9:15 am (official start 9:30 am), F2 feature race at 11:10 am, qualifying build‑up at 12:30 pm, and the official Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying at 1:00 pm, followed by Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm. - Saturday, 26 September: F2 Feature Race 2 at 7:55 am, Grand Prix start at 10:30 am, and the race itself at midday, with post‑race analysis and reaction segments later in the afternoon. - Sunday: Final race wrap‑up and highlights. All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, and viewers are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience.
Hadjar’s comeback is also a morale boost for the Racing Bulls team. Their statement highlighted the driver’s full recovery and expressed gratitude to both Lawson and Tsunoda for stepping up during the difficult period. "Liam returns to VCARB this weekend in Baku, with Isack having made a full recovery from his wrist injury," the team said, adding a special thank‑you to Yuki Tsunoda for his dedication and the points he earned while covering for Hadjar.
Beyond the immediate race, Hadjar’s return carries strategic implications. Red Bull will have the benefit of both its primary drivers back in the cockpit, allowing the team to execute its development plans for the 2026 car without the need to juggle reserve driver duties. This continuity is crucial as the team aims to introduce aerodynamic upgrades and power‑unit refinements throughout the remaining season, especially with the upcoming street circuits in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, which demand a different setup philosophy compared to the high‑speed Baku layout. In summary, Isack Hadjar’s return to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks a pivotal moment in his rookie campaign.
After a wrist injury forced him out of three races, the French driver is now cleared to compete, rejoining a Red Bull squad that has already expressed confidence in his fitness and performance. With the championship stakes rising and a demanding triple header on the horizon, Hadjar’s performance in Baku could prove decisive for his personal points tally and for Red Bull’s broader title ambitions.