Red Bull’s French rookie Isack Hadjar is poised to rejoin the grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ending a three‑race absence caused by a wrist injury sustained during his off‑season fitness routine. The 21‑year‑old, who has been Max Verstappen’s teammate throughout his debut season, missed the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds after the injury occurred in August, when the summer break gave drivers a chance to work on their physical conditioning. Hadjar’s return will be marked by his participation in the two Thursday practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit. The weekend’s timetable has been shifted a day earlier than usual to avoid clashing with Azerbaijan’s national Remembrance Day, meaning the first practice will start on Thursday morning rather than Friday.
Red Bull released a statement on Tuesday morning confirming the young driver’s full recovery and expressing enthusiasm about seeing him back in the cockpit. "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 said. The statement underscored the confidence Red Bull has in Hadjar’s fitness and his ability to contribute to the team’s championship fight.
During Hadjar’s hiatus, 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 publicly thanked Lawson for his professionalism and dedication over the three races, noting that he delivered "impressive performances" under challenging circumstances and added valuable points to the team’s tally.
The team also praised Tsunoda for his effort as a reserve, highlighting his contribution to the points haul and confirming his return to a dual‑reserve role for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls. The Frenchman’s early season had been promising. He secured a podium finish in Monaco, demonstrating his speed and composure on a demanding street circuit. Up to the point of his injury, Hadjar sat eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, but the gap to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri widened from 23 points to 49 points while he was sidelined.
He was also trailing Verstappen by 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix, the last race before the summer break; that deficit has now grown to 74 points, reflecting the impact of missing three rounds. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the opening leg of a three‑race sprint that will see the championship move to Malaysia and Singapore over the following two weekends. This triple‑header is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the latter half of the 2026 season, with teams scrambling to maximise points before the final stretch. For fans planning to follow the action, the official schedule is as follows: - Wednesday, 23 September – 11:00 am Drivers’ Press Conference; 2:00 pm Paddock Uncut.
- Thursday, 24 September – 6:55 am F2 Practice; 9:00 am Azerbaijan GP Practice One (starts at 9:30 am); 10:55 am F2 Qualifying; 12:00 pm Team Bosses’ Press Conference; 12:30 pm Practice Two (starts at 1:00 pm); 2:15 pm The F1 Show. - Friday, 25 September – 5:10 am F2 Sprint; 9:15 am Practice Three (starts at 9:30 am); 11:10 am F2 Feature Race 1; 12:30 pm Qualifying build‑up; 1:00 pm Azerbaijan GP Qualifying; 3:00 pm Ted’s Qualifying Notebook.
- Saturday, 26 September – 7:55 am F2 Feature Race 2; 10:30 am Grand Prix start. - Sunday – Post‑race analysis, including the Chequered Flag reaction at 2:00 pm and Ted’s Notebook 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.
Hadjar’s comeback is more than a personal milestone; it restores Red Bull’s full driver lineup ahead of a critical phase of the season. With Verstappen still firmly in the lead, the team will rely on Hadjar to pick up points, support strategy calls, and potentially challenge for podiums in the upcoming street circuits.
The Baku race, known for its high‑speed straights and tight corners, offers a perfect platform for the young Frenchman to showcase his recovery and re‑establish his rhythm. In addition to the on‑track action, the weekend will feature a series of off‑track engagements, including press conferences, technical briefings, and fan interaction events.
Red Bull’s media team has scheduled a dedicated interview with Hadjar on Thursday afternoon, where he is expected to discuss his rehabilitation process, the mental challenges of missing races, and his goals for the remainder of the season. Overall, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises a blend of high‑octane racing, strategic intrigue, and a compelling narrative of resilience as Isack Hadjar steps back into his Red Bull seat, ready to contribute to the team’s pursuit of both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles.