Red Bull have officially announced that Isack Hadjar will continue as Max Verstappen's teammate for the 2027 Formula One campaign. The French driver, who joined the team at the beginning of the current season after a standout debut with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the final three rounds due to a wrist injury sustained during a training session over the summer break.
He has now recovered sufficiently to return for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, an event that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The team had already confirmed last month that four‑time world champion Max Verstappen has extended his contract to remain with Red Bull until at least the close of 2030. Laurent Mekies, Red Bull's team principal, praised Hadjar's progress, stating, "We are thrilled to keep Isack with us.
Since he arrived at the start of the year he has been exemplary both on and off the 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 operation from day one, spending countless hours in the Milton Keynes factory alongside his engineers, constantly seeking to refine the car and improve his own performance. "His composure during his debut weekend in Melbourne was remarkable, and he quickly earned his place in the seat," Mekies said.
The second seat at Red Bull is widely regarded as 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.
Hadjar, however, has been able to stay close to the Dutchman and has even out‑performed him on a few occasions this season, which has helped to silence any doubts about his suitability for the role. Despite his three‑race absence, 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 commented on Hadjar's injury period, noting, "It has been a challenging time for Isack, but this contract extension demonstrates the confidence we have in his talent. We are eager to see him back on track and contributing to the team’s objectives." He also highlighted the unity within the organization, saying that everyone—from drivers to engineers to factory staff—shares a common goal and a collective sense of purpose. Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained the circumstances of Hadjar's injury: "He injured his arm and wrist by hitting a heavy bag during his boxing training. He has now recovered and will race this weekend, confirming his partnership with Verstappen for 2027.
While Liam Lawson performed admirably as a stand‑in, there was no surprise that Red Bull chose to retain Hadjar, who has been perhaps Verstappen's most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo's departure." Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about staying with Oracle Red Bull Racing: "I am thrilled to continue with the team. I joined eight months ago and immediately grasped the scale and ambition of the operation. The talent here is extraordinary, and driving alongside a four‑time champion like Max is a privilege.
From the moment I signed, I committed myself to earning the trust placed in me, and with the support of Laurent and the whole Milton Keynes crew, I have been able to justify that faith. Every day I aim to listen, learn and push my limits further." During the post‑race press conference in Baku, Hadjar said he had taken a relaxed approach to the contract talks, even admitting he was unsure of the exact length of the new deal.
"I let my team handle the negotiations. I focus on delivering on the track, and the rest falls into place," he explained. When asked whether the agreement covered multiple years, he replied, "I don't really know the details, but if you perform well, you stay. That's all that matters." He also addressed his wrist injury, describing it as a small fracture outside the joint that required a lengthy, non‑surgical recovery.
"It will still be painful for a while, but after about six weeks the wrist is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing," Hadjar said. He added that his simulator work had gone well and that the virtual environment closely mimics the real cockpit, giving him confidence that he can return to full fitness.
The training sessions, however, had been monotonous because he could not use his left arm much. The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, and while Red Bull has not imposed new restrictions on his training, Hadjar acknowledged he will be more cautious in the future. "Next time I’ll think twice and maybe strap my wrist, but there are no formal limits. I’m not a child; I just need to be smarter about it," he said.
Across the sport, the top four teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull—have all locked in their driver line‑ups for 2027. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have also secured their 2027 drivers, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg. The remaining teams—Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin—still have open seats.
Fernando Alonso’s future remains uncertain; his decision could free up a seat at Aston Martin. Meanwhile, Haas is expected to keep Oliver Bearman, but may replace Esteban Ocon with Ferrari junior Rafael Camara for 2027 after Camara’s impressive Formula 2 campaign. Red Bull continues to monitor its junior talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the F2 championship and both Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson delivering strong performances for Racing Bulls, making any driver reshuffle a delicate matter.
The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend will feature a packed schedule, including F2 practice and qualifying sessions, the F1 practice runs, and the main race on Saturday. All sessions will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, with the Grand Prix itself also available via NOW streaming. This triple‑header of events promises plenty of on‑track action for fans eager to see Hadjar back in the Red Bull cockpit and to follow the unfolding storylines across the Formula One grid.