Red Bull’s rising star 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 French driver, who has shown promise in his debut season alongside five‑time champion Max Verstappen, was forced to sit out the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds after injuring his wrist during a fitness session in the summer break of August. 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 earlier to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day, giving the young driver a full weekend of on‑track action. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Oracle Red Bull Racing expressed enthusiasm about the development: "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 absence, 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 dedication over the three races, noting that his performances under pressure were "impressive" and contributed significantly to the team’s efforts. The organization also praised Tsunoda for stepping in and delivering valuable points, before returning him to his reserve duties for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls.
Hadjar’s first season with Red Bull has been solid, highlighted by a podium finish in Monaco. Prior to his injury, he sat eighth in the Drivers' Championship, trailing Verstappen by 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix. The wrist setback has widened that gap to 74 points, and his deficit to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has grown from 23 to 49 points. Despite the points loss, the team remains confident in Hadjar’s ability to bounce back and continue contributing to Red Bull’s championship ambitions.
The Azerbaijan race also kicks off a demanding triple‑header, with back‑to‑back events in Malaysia and Singapore scheduled for the following two weekends. This compressed format will test the stamina and consistency of all teams and drivers as the 2026 season approaches its climax. The official weekend 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 Azerbaijan GP Practice Two (starts at 1:00 pm); 2:15 pm The F1 Show.
- Friday, 25 September: 5:10 am F2 Sprint; 9:15 am Azerbaijan GP Practice Three (starts at 9:30 am); 11:10 am F2 Feature Race 1; 12:30 pm Azerbaijan GP 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. - Sunday: Azerbaijan GP main event, followed by post‑race analysis and reactions.
All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming available via NOW for viewers who prefer an online option without a long‑term contract. Beyond the immediate race weekend, the broader context of the 2026 championship is shaping up. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has outlined clear objectives for the Azerbaijan round, while former champion Nico Rosberg has highlighted what he sees as Ferrari’s lingering vulnerability, describing it as an "Achilles' heel" that could be exploited by rivals. Analysts also note that the triple‑header of Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Singapore will have a profound impact on the title fight, potentially reshaping the championship landscape for the remainder of the season.
Teams are expected to bring additional upgrades, particularly McLaren, which has hinted at a four‑way battle for victory in Baku after confirming further improvements to the MCL40 chassis. In summary, Isack Hadjar’s comeback at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks a pivotal moment for both the driver and Red Bull.
After a successful rehabilitation, he will test his car in Thursday’s practice sessions, aiming to regain lost ground in the points standings. The team’s gratitude toward Lawson and Tsunoda underscores the collaborative spirit within the Red Bull family, while the upcoming triple‑header promises high‑stakes racing that could define the championship narrative heading into the final stages of the 2026 Formula 1 season.