Red Bull’s young French driver Isack Hadjar is slated to make his return to the Formula One grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a three‑race absence caused by a wrist injury sustained during a summer‑break fitness session. The 21‑year‑old, who has shown promise as Max Verstappen’s teammate in his debut season, missed the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds while he recovered. His comeback will be marked by participation in both Thursday practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit, a schedule that has been shifted a day earlier this year to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day. The team issued a statement on Tuesday morning confirming Hadjar’s full recovery and expressing enthusiasm about his return: "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." The announcement highlighted the confidence the outfit has in the Frenchman's health and readiness to compete again. In Hadjar’s absence, Red Bull’s junior squad, Racing Bulls, promoted Liam Lawson from the main Racing Bulls line‑up to fill the vacant seat. Lawson stepped in under challenging circumstances and delivered solid performances, earning points for the team and demonstrating professionalism and dedication.
Reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda, who had been called up to cover for Lawson at the junior team, also received commendation for his contributions during the three‑race stint. Both drivers were thanked publicly for their efforts, with Red Bull noting that Lawson would now return to his original role at Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, while Tsunoda would resume his reserve duties for both the senior and junior teams. Hadjar’s first season with Red Bull has been noteworthy despite its abrupt interruption. He secured a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix, showcasing his speed and racecraft on a demanding street circuit.
Prior to his injury, he sat eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 23 points. That gap widened to 49 points while he was sidelined, and his deficit to team‑mate Max Verstappen grew from 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix to 74 points at the time of his return. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is the opening round of a three‑race sprint that will see back‑to‑back events in Malaysia and Singapore over the next two weekends. This triple‑header is expected to have a significant impact on the 2026 championship battle, as teams and drivers scramble for points early in the season.
The race weekend schedule is as follows: 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 starts 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 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 starts 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 at 12:00 pm, Chequered Flag reaction at 2:00 pm, and Ted’s Notebook at 3:00 pm. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming options available via NOW for viewers who prefer an online platform without a long‑term contract.
Hadjar’s return is more than just a personal milestone; it restores Red Bull’s full driver lineup and adds strategic depth as the team navigates the early‑season sprint races. With his wrist fully healed, the Frenchman is expected to resume his development work alongside Verstappen, contributing to car setup, data collection, and on‑track performance. The team’s confidence in his fitness suggests that he will be ready to compete at the highest level without restrictions.
The broader context of the season includes several storylines that intersect with Hadjar’s comeback. Ferrari’s Frederic Vasseur has outlined specific objectives for the Azerbaijan round, while former champion Nico Rosberg has identified potential weaknesses in the Scuderia’s approach.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton’s focus remains on challenging teammate George Russell as the championship fight intensifies. The upcoming triple‑header in Asia will test the resilience of all teams, making every point crucial for the title chase. In summary, Isack Hadjar’s return to the Baku circuit marks a significant moment for both the driver and Red Bull Racing. After a wrist injury forced him out of three consecutive races, he is now cleared to take part in Thursday’s practice sessions, positioning himself to re‑enter the competitive fray.
The team’s acknowledgment of the contributions made by Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda underscores the collaborative effort that kept the Racing Bulls stable running smoothly during his absence. As the 2026 season progresses, Hadjar’s performance in Azerbaijan will be closely watched, offering an early indicator of how the championship dynamics may evolve across the forthcoming Asian sprint events.