Red Bull’s young French driver, Isack Hadjar, is slated to rejoin the grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a three‑race absence caused by a wrist injury sustained during off‑season fitness work. The 21‑year‑old, who has been Max Verstappen’s teammate throughout his debut season, missed the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds after aggravating his wrist in August, when the sport was on its summer hiatus.
Hadjar’s return will be marked by participation in both Thursday practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit. The weekend’s timetable has been shifted a day forward to avoid clashing with Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day commemorations, giving the Frenchman a full weekend to shake off any lingering stiffness before qualifying. In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Oracle Red Bull Racing expressed enthusiasm about the recovery: "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." During Hadjar’s lay‑off, Liam Lawson was elevated from the Racing Bulls squad to fill the vacant Red Bull seat, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda took Lawson’s place at the junior team. Red Bull publicly thanked Lawson for his professionalism and the valuable points he contributed under challenging circumstances, noting that he would now return to his original role with the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls. The team also praised Tsunoda for stepping in for three races, highlighting his dedication and the points he secured for the outfit.
Hadjar’s early season performance had been solid, highlighted by a podium finish in Monaco that demonstrated his ability to extract pace from the Red Bull package. 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 three‑race absence, while his deficit to team‑mate Verstappen grew from 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix to 74 points at the time of his return. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is 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 pivotal role in shaping the remainder of the 2026 title fight, with teams scrambling to optimise their cars for the varied circuits. Fans can look forward to a packed schedule: on Wednesday, September 23, the drivers’ press conference begins at 11:00 am, followed by the Paddock Uncut at 2:00 pm.
Thursday’s agenda includes the F2 practice session at 6:55 am, the first F1 practice at 9:30 am, and the second practice at 12:30 pm, interspersed with team‑boss press conferences and the popular "The F1 Show" at 2:15 pm. Friday brings the F2 sprint, the third practice session, and the crucial qualifying session for the Grand Prix, slated for 1:00 pm. Saturday’s program features the F2 Feature Race 2 and the main Grand Prix start at midday, with post‑race analysis and commentary throughout the afternoon. All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming options available via NOW without a long‑term contract.
Beyond the on‑track action, the weekend includes several ancillary events that deepen fan engagement. The Racing Bulls team will host a hospitality suite for sponsors, while the Red Bull garage will showcase a behind‑the‑scenes look at car development, emphasizing the aerodynamic upgrades introduced for the Baku street circuit. Technical briefings will explain how teams adapt their low‑downforce setups to the long straights and tight middle sector of the track, a balance that often determines qualifying performance.
Hadjar’s comeback is not merely a personal milestone; it also restores Red Bull’s full driver lineup, allowing the team to gather comprehensive data from both cars during practice. This information is crucial as Red Bull aims to maintain its competitive edge against Ferrari, Mercedes and the rising McLaren outfit, which has hinted at a four‑way battle for victory in Baku after confirming additional upgrades to the MCL40 chassis. In summary, Isack Hadjar’s return to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the end of a brief but challenging rehabilitation period. The Frenchman is expected to be fully fit, and his presence will add another variable to the strategic calculations of the leading teams as the 2026 season enters its decisive middle phase.
Viewers can catch all the action live on Sky Sports F1, with the option to stream via NOW for a flexible, contract‑free experience.