Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside four‑time world champion Max Verstappen as his teammate for the 2027 Formula One campaign. The French driver, who was promoted to the senior squad at the beginning of the current season after a standout debut with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the last three rounds because of a wrist injury sustained during a summer training session. He is now back on the sidelines for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, ready to take his place in the cockpit once again. The team had already revealed in May that Verstappen had extended his contract with Red Bull until at least the end of 2030, cementing the core of the championship‑winning line‑up for several more years.
Following that announcement, Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies spoke about Hadjar's future: "We are thrilled to keep Isack with us. Since he arrived at the start of the year, he has impressed both on‑track and off‑track, especially given that this is only his second season in Formula 1.
Extending his deal was therefore a straightforward decision." Mekies added that Hadjar immersed himself in the team's technical environment from day one, spending countless hours in the Milton Keynes factory working closely with his engineers to develop the car. "You could see his composure in Melbourne during his debut weekend – he handled the step up with remarkable poise and quickly earned his place here," Mekies said. The second seat at Red Bull is widely regarded as the toughest on the grid.
Former teammates such as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have all found it difficult to match Verstappen's pace. Hadjar, however, has consistently been closer to the Dutchman than many of his predecessors, even out‑qualifying or out‑performing his teammate on several occasions this year, which has helped to shield his seat from criticism. Despite missing three races, Hadjar remains 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 originally stripped Pierre Gasly of his result.
Mekies praised his resilience: "The period after his injury was challenging for Isack, but this contract extension shows how much confidence we have in his abilities. We look forward to seeing him back at full speed on the track." Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater noted, "Hadjar was sidelined because he injured his wrist while hitting a heavy bag during his boxing training. He has recovered, will race in Baku this weekend, and will partner Verstappen in 2027.
Liam Lawson filled in admirably, but no one was surprised that Red Bull kept Hadjar – he has been the most competitive teammate Verstappen has had since Daniel Ricciardo left the team." Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about the extension: "I am extremely excited to continue with Oracle Red Bull Racing. I joined eight months ago and instantly understood the scale and ambition of this organisation. The talent in the factory is incredible, and driving alongside a four‑time champion like Max is a privilege. From the moment I signed, I have dedicated myself to the team, and with the support of Laurent and everyone in Milton Keynes, I have been able to justify the faith they placed in me.
Every day I aim to listen, learn and push myself further." During the drivers' press conference in Baku, Hadjar said he had been completely relaxed about the renewal talks and admitted he was unaware of the exact length of the new deal. "I let my people handle the negotiations. I focus on the track, and that's it. It was very easy," he explained when asked whether the contract spanned multiple years.
"I don't really know the details, but if you perform well, you stay." He also addressed the nature of his wrist injury, describing it as a small fracture outside the joint that required a lengthy, non‑surgical recovery. "It’s still painful, but after about six weeks the bone is strong enough to handle the stresses of driving.
I tested the simulator and it felt almost identical to the cockpit, so with the adrenaline on track I feel confident. The training sessions have been dull because I couldn't use my left arm much, but I am back now." The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, a discipline Hadjar incorporates into his fitness regime. Red Bull has not imposed any new restrictions on his training, though he acknowledged he will be more cautious in the future: "Next time I’ll think twice, maybe strap my wrist, but there are no formal limits.
I’m not a child; I just need to be careful." Across the sport, the top four teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull—have all locked in their driver line‑ups for 2027, leaving only a handful of seats still uncertain. Alpine, Williams and the new Cadillac entry have confirmed contracts for next year, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg.
The remaining vacancies belong to Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin. Aston Martin's situation hinges on Fernando Alonso's decision; if the two‑time champion retires, a seat will open up. Alonso has hinted that a decision is not imminent, expressing dissatisfaction with the current regulations and noting that FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has called for an accelerated resolution of Aston Martin's engine supply issues with Honda. At Haas, British youngster Oliver Bearman appears set to stay, but his teammate Esteban Ocon could lose his drive if the team decides to promote Ferrari junior Rafael Câmara for the 2027 season after his strong Formula 2 performances.
Red Bull's own junior programme continues to produce talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the F2 championship and the team historically fast‑tracking promising drivers into Formula 1 seats. Red Bull now faces a delicate choice: both Racing Bulls drivers Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson have delivered impressive results this year, making the prospect of dropping one of them a difficult decision.
The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is packed with action. On Thursday, September 24, F2 practice begins at 6:55 am, followed by qualifying and the team bosses' press conference.
Friday features the F2 sprint, the third F1 practice session, and the F2 feature race, leading into the F1 qualifying session at 1 pm. Saturday hosts the second F2 feature race and the Grand Prix itself, with the race slated for midday.
Sunday will bring post‑race analysis and reaction segments. All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, and the entire weekend can be streamed via NOW without a long‑term contract.
In summary, Isack Hadjar's contract extension secures his place at the pinnacle of motorsport for at least the next two seasons, reinforcing Red Bull's strategy of nurturing young talent while maintaining a dominant driver pairing. His recovery from injury, steady performance and rapport with the team suggest he will continue to be a key figure in Red Bull's pursuit of further championships.