Red Bull’s French rookie Isack Hadjar is poised to get back behind the wheel at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ending a three‑race hiatus caused by a wrist problem. The 21‑year‑old, who has shown promise as Max Verstappen’s teammate in his debut season, was forced to sit out the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds after injuring his wrist during a fitness session over the summer break in August. His first on‑track appearance since the injury will be during the two practice sessions scheduled for Thursday at the Baku City Circuit, a weekend that has been shifted forward by a day to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day. In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Oracle Red Bull Racing expressed enthusiasm about the young driver’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 team’s confidence in Hadjar’s health reflects the thorough medical clearance he received after a period of intensive physiotherapy and strength training aimed at restoring full mobility and grip strength. During Hadjar’s absence, Liam Lawson was elevated from the Racing Bulls squad to fill the vacant Red Bull seat, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into Lawson’s spot at the junior team. Red Bull praised Lawson’s professionalism and the quality of his performances, noting that he "delivered some impressive performances and made a valuable contribution to the team" under challenging circumstances. The organization also thanked Tsunoda for his dedication, acknowledging the points he helped secure for the Racing Bulls during the three races he covered.
Hadjar’s early season had been solid, highlighted by a podium finish in Monaco that demonstrated his ability to extract performance from the RB‑19. Before his injury, he sat eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 23 points. The gap widened to 49 points during his time away, and his deficit to championship leader Max Verstappen grew from 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix to 74 points now that the summer break has passed.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the opening leg of a three‑race swing that will continue with events in Malaysia and Singapore over the following two weekends. This triple‑header is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the remainder of the 2026 title fight, as teams scramble to maximize points before the season’s final stretch.
The weekend’s schedule is packed with activity. On Wednesday, September 23, a drivers' press conference will take place at 11:00 am, followed by the Paddock Uncut at 2:00 pm. Thursday, September 24, sees the start of the on‑track action with F2 practice at 6:55 am, followed by the first F1 practice session at 9:30 am. After a brief intermission for F2 qualifying, the team bosses’ press conference is slated for noon, and a second practice session begins at 1:00 pm.
The day concludes with "The F1 Show" at 2:15 pm. Friday’s agenda includes the F2 sprint at 5:10 am, the third F1 practice session at 9:30 am, and the F2 feature race at 11:10 am. Qualifying for the Grand Prix kicks off at 1:00 pm, with the official qualifying session running from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
Post‑qualifying coverage features Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm. Saturday, September 26, the final race day, starts with the second F2 feature race at 7:55 am, followed by the Grand Prix itself at 12:00 pm. The race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and streamed via NOW, offering viewers the option to watch without a long‑term contract.
After the checkered flag at around 2:00 pm, the program will transition to reaction segments and another edition of Ted’s Notebook at 3:00 pm. Hadjar’s return is not only a personal milestone but also a strategic boost for Red Bull.
The team has been busy introducing aerodynamic upgrades to the RB‑19 and refining power‑unit maps, aiming to close any performance gap that may have emerged during the Frenchman’s absence. With the Baku circuit’s combination of long straights and tight, twisty sections, a fully recovered Hadjar will have the chance to showcase his growing racecraft and contribute valuable points to the Constructors’ tally. Both Red Bull and the Racing Bulls have publicly thanked Lawson and Tsunoda for stepping up, emphasizing the collaborative spirit within the Red Bull family. "A huge thank you to Yuki for stepping in over the past three races, giving everything for the team and scoring some very valuable points," the Racing Bulls said, while also wishing Lawson success as he returns to his regular seat.
As the season progresses, the next few races will be crucial for drivers outside the top three, who are looking to capitalize on any mistakes from the leading teams. Hadjar’s comeback at Baku could be a catalyst for a late‑season surge, especially if he can translate his qualifying speed into race results. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see whether the Frenchman can close the points gap to both Verstappen and Piastri and re‑establish himself as a genuine contender for podium finishes.
Overall, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises high drama, a packed schedule, and the return of a promising young talent eager to prove that his injury setback was merely a temporary detour on the road to a successful Formula 1 career.