Red Bull has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside Max Verstappen as his teammate for the 2027 Formula One campaign. The French driver, who joined the Oracle Red Bull Racing outfit at the beginning of the current season after a standout rookie year with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the last three rounds because of a wrist injury sustained during a summer training session.
Now fully recovered, Hadjar is back on the grid for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The announcement comes on the heels of Red Bull's earlier confirmation that four‑time world champion Max Verstappen has extended his contract to remain with the team until at least the close of the 2030 season. Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s rapid integration, noting, "From day one Isack has thrown himself into the project, spending countless hours in the Milton Keynes factory with his engineers, analysing data and looking for any marginal gain. His composure during his debut weekend in Melbourne was remarkable, and he earned his place in the car with merit rather than hype." Mekies added that extending Hadjar’s deal was an easy decision given the youngster’s professionalism both on and off the track.
The second seat at Red Bull has a reputation for being the most demanding on the grid. Former drivers such as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have all found it difficult to match Verstappen’s pace.
Yet Hadjar has already shown he can compete at a similar level, even edging out his champion teammate on a few occasions this season. His performance has therefore not been questioned, despite the three‑race absence caused by his injury.
Even with the missed events, Hadjar sits eighth in the Drivers' Championship and reclaimed a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed a penalty that had initially stripped Pierre Gasly of his result. Mekies reflected on the setback, saying, "The period following his injury was challenging for Isack, but this contract extension demonstrates the confidence we have in his talent and work ethic. We look forward to seeing him back in the cockpit where he belongs." He also highlighted the unity within the team, stating that engineers, drivers and factory staff are all aligned toward shared goals for the remainder of the season.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained the circumstances surrounding Hadjar’s injury: "He injured his wrist and forearm while hitting a heavy bag during his boxing training – a routine part of his fitness regime. He has now recovered and will race this weekend, confirming his partnership with Verstappen for 2027. While Liam Lawson performed admirably in his place, there was never any doubt that Hadjar would retain the seat.
He has arguably been Verstappen’s toughest teammate since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure." Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about the new deal: "I am thrilled to continue with Oracle Red Bull Racing. I joined the team eight months ago and instantly recognised the scale and ambition of the operation. The talent pool at the factory is extraordinary, and driving alongside a four‑time champion like Max is a privilege I take very seriously.
From the moment I signed, I committed to giving everything to the team, and with the support of Laurent and the entire Milton Keynes crew, I have been able to justify the faith placed in me. Every day I aim to listen, learn and push my limits further, looking ahead to what we can achieve together." The driver market for 2027 is beginning to take shape. The sport’s four leading teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull—have all locked in their line‑ups with no changes expected.
Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have also confirmed their drivers for next season, while Audi will retain its pairing of Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg. The remaining teams—Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin—are still undecided. Aston Martin could see a vacancy if Fernando Alonso decides to retire, a decision he has hinted may not come soon due to dissatisfaction with the current regulations.
The FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has even suggested accelerating the development of Aston Martin’s engine partner, Honda, to address the team’s concerns. At Haas, Britain’s Oliver Bearman is set to stay, but his teammate Esteban Ocon’s future is uncertain after a rocky start to the season.
Haas may promote Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, who impressed in Formula 2, to an F1 seat for 2027. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s junior program continues to produce talent; Nikola Tsolov leads the F2 championship and, as history shows, Red Bull often promotes its top juniors to the senior team as soon as a seat becomes available. Red Bull now faces a delicate decision regarding its two junior drivers, Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, both of whom have delivered strong performances this year.
Dropping either would be difficult, especially with the team’s tradition of nurturing young talent. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is packed with action. On Thursday, September 24, the schedule includes F2 practice sessions, qualifying, and a team bosses’ press conference, followed by the first F1 practice on Friday.
Saturday will host the final practice, qualifying and the main race, with post‑race analysis and commentary scheduled throughout the day. All sessions will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, and fans are encouraged to use Chrome for the best video experience. In summary, Isack Hadjar’s contract extension solidifies his place in one of the sport’s most elite line‑ups, ensuring continuity for Red Bull as they chase further championships.
His recovery from injury, proven competitiveness, and commitment to the team’s culture have all contributed to a decision that aligns with Red Bull’s long‑term strategy of blending experienced champions with rising stars. The 2027 season promises to be another thrilling chapter for both Hadjar and Verstappen as they aim to dominate the grid together.