Isack Hadjar, the young French driver who has been sharing the Red Bull garage with five‑time champion Max Verstappen, is poised to make his return to the Formula One grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a three‑race absence caused by a wrist injury. The setback occurred during a routine fitness session in August, when the 21‑year‑old sustained a strain that forced him to sit out the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds.
Now, having completed a successful rehabilitation program, Hadjar will be back in the cockpit for the two practice sessions scheduled on Thursday at the Baku City Circuit. The weekend’s timetable has been shifted a day earlier to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day, meaning the practice, qualifying and race will all take place on a tighter schedule than usual. Red Bull issued a statement on Tuesday morning that highlighted the team’s enthusiasm for 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 message underscored both the confidence the team has in the driver’s fitness and the importance of his role as Verstappen’s teammate in the championship battle. During Hadjar’s recovery, the team relied on Liam Lawson, who was promoted from the junior squad Racing Bulls to fill the vacant seat.
Lawson’s stint was complemented by reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda, who stepped into the Racing Bulls car for the three races Hadjar missed. Red Bull publicly thanked Lawson for his professionalism and dedication, noting that he delivered "impressive performances" under challenging circumstances and contributed valuable points to the team.
The organization also expressed gratitude to Tsunoda, acknowledging his effort and the points he secured while serving as a stand‑in. Hadjar’s early season performance had been promising. He secured a podium finish in Monaco, demonstrating his ability to extract pace from the Red Bull car and to compete with the sport’s elite. Prior to 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 three‑race hiatus, and his deficit to Verstappen grew from 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix to 74 points at the start of the Baku weekend. Despite the points loss, Hadjar’s overall trajectory suggested a solid rookie campaign and a growing confidence in his role as the team’s second driver.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the opening round of a three‑race sprint that will see the championship move to Malaysia and Singapore over the following two weekends. This triple‑header will be pivotal in shaping the remainder of the 2026 title fight, as teams will have limited time to introduce upgrades and adapt to varying circuit characteristics. McLaren, for instance, has announced additional aerodynamic updates for the MCL40, anticipating a tightly contested battle for victory in Baku. Meanwhile, Red Bull will be eager to gauge Hadjar’s form after his layoff and to assess any performance differentials that may have emerged during his absence.
The official schedule for the Azerbaijan weekend is as follows: - Wednesday, 23 September: Drivers’ press conference at 11:00 am, followed by the Paddock Uncut interview at 2:00 pm. - Thursday, 24 September: F2 practice at 6:55 am, Azerbaijan GP Practice 1 at 9:30 am, F2 qualifying at 10:55 am, team bosses’ press conference at 12:00 pm, Practice 2 at 1:00 pm, and The F1 Show at 2:15 pm. - Friday, 25 September: F2 sprint at 5:10 am, Practice 3 at 9:30 am, F2 feature race at 11:10 am, qualifying build‑up at 12:30 pm, Azerbaijan GP qualifying at 1:00 pm, and 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, followed by post‑race analysis. - Sunday, 27 September: Grand Prix build‑up, race start at 12:00 pm, chequered flag at 2:00 pm, and post‑race reaction at 3:00 pm. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming available via NOW without a long‑term contract. Viewers are advised to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience.
Beyond the immediate race weekend, Hadjar’s return carries broader implications for the Red Bull driver lineup. A fully fit Hadjar will allow the team to continue its development program without relying on interim drivers, preserving continuity in data collection and car setup.
Moreover, his presence provides Verstappen with a reliable teammate who can challenge him in practice and potentially secure points that contribute to the Constructors’ Championship. The team’s ability to field two competitive drivers is a cornerstone of its dominance in recent seasons, and Hadjar’s health will be a critical factor in maintaining that edge. In summary, Isack Hadjar’s comeback at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is not just a personal milestone after a wrist injury but also a strategic moment for Red Bull Racing as the 2026 season accelerates into a decisive triple‑header. The driver’s prior achievements, the team’s gratitude toward his temporary replacements, and the packed schedule of practice, qualifying and race sessions all combine to make the Baku weekend a focal point for fans and analysts alike.
With the race set to take place on Saturday at midday local time, viewers can follow the action live on Sky Sports or stream via NOW, ensuring that the excitement of Hadjar’s return reaches a global audience.