Isack Hadjar, the young French driver for Oracle Red Bull Racing, is poised to get back behind the wheel at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a three‑race absence caused by a wrist problem. The 21‑year‑old, who has shown promise in his debut season as Max Verstappen's teammate, suffered the injury while completing a fitness routine during the summer break in August. The setback forced him to miss the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix, but medical staff have cleared him to race again. Hadjar's return will be marked by his participation in the two practice sessions scheduled for Thursday at the Baku City Circuit.
The weekend's timetable has been shifted a day earlier to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day, ensuring the event proceeds without conflict. In a statement issued on Tuesday morning, Oracle Red Bull Racing expressed enthusiasm about the Frenchman's comeback: "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 time away, Liam Lawson was elevated from the Red Bull Racing junior team, Racing Bulls, to fill the vacant seat. Meanwhile, reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into the Racing Bulls car, taking over Lawson's duties.
Red Bull publicly thanked Lawson for his professionalism and dedication over the three races he covered, noting that he delivered "impressive performances" under challenging circumstances and contributed valuable points to the team. The organization also praised Tsunoda for his effort, stating that his contributions were "very valuable" and that he would now resume his reserve role for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls. Hadjar's early season had been solid.
He secured a podium finish in Monaco, demonstrating his ability to compete at the front of the pack. Prior to his injury, he was eighth in the Drivers' Championship, trailing the championship leader Max Verstappen by 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race before the summer hiatus.
The injury widened that gap, leaving Hadjar 74 points behind Verstappen and 49 points behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who had been his closest rival before the break. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is the opening round of a three‑race swing that will continue with events in Malaysia and Singapore over the next two weekends. This triple‑header will be crucial in shaping the remainder of the 2026 championship battle, as teams and drivers vie for points in a tightly contested season. The weekend schedule is packed with action: - Wednesday, 23 September: Drivers' press conference at 11:00 am, followed by the Paddock Uncut at 2:00 pm.
- Thursday, 24 September: F2 practice at 6:55 am, Azerbaijan GP Practice One at 9:00 am (session begins at 9:30 am), F2 qualifying at 10:55 am, Team bosses' press conference at 12:00 pm, Practice Two at 12:30 pm (session starts at 1:00 pm), and The F1 Show at 2:15 pm. - Friday, 25 September: F2 sprint at 5:10 am, Practice Three at 9:15 am (session begins at 9:30 am), F2 feature race 1 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 the main race, post‑race analysis, and Ted's Notebook.
- Sunday, 27 September: Full race coverage, post‑race reaction, and the chequered flag ceremony. All sessions will also be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, with the option to watch via NOW TV without a long‑term contract.
Hadjar's return is significant not only for his personal career but also for Red Bull's championship aspirations. The team hopes his presence will bolster their points haul and keep pressure on rivals such as Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren. Moreover, his comeback underscores the resilience of modern F1 drivers, who must balance intense physical conditioning with the rigors of a demanding race calendar. As the Baku race approaches, fans will be eager to see whether Hadjar can quickly regain his pre‑injury form and contribute to Red Bull's quest for the Constructors' title.
The Frenchman's performance will also be a barometer for his future within the team, especially as Red Bull has already confirmed his seat alongside Verstappen for the 2027 season. In summary, Isack Hadjar is set to rejoin the grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a successful rehabilitation from a wrist injury sustained during off‑season training. His return is supported by a grateful team, a temporary replacement driver who performed admirably, and a schedule that promises plenty of on‑track action across the weekend. The upcoming triple‑header in Asia will be pivotal for the 2026 championship narrative, and Hadjar's participation could prove crucial in the ongoing battle for both driver and constructor honors.