Red Bull’s team boss Laurent Mekane emphasized that the French driver Isack Hadjar’s rehabilitation will stay the top priority, and the squad will not accelerate his comeback merely to fill the grid for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Mekane explained that the team will carry out a series of assessments, including a simulator run, before deciding whether Hadjar will be cleared to race in Baku.
Hadjar has been sidelined for three consecutive events after injuring his wrist during a routine training session that took place as the championship emerged from its summer hiatus. In his absence, Liam Lawson, who drives for the sister outfit Racing Bulls, has stepped into the Red Bull seat. Following the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, Mekane told reporters that Hadjar’s healing process is proceeding exactly as expected. The team has scheduled a simulator session for the young driver to gauge his physical readiness and to simulate the unique demands of the Baku street circuit.
"There is nothing wrong with Isack’s recovery. We’ve learned that the timeline we’re seeing is typical for the type of injury he sustained," Mekane said. He added, "We will keep the same methodical approach we have been using. In about a week we will review his condition, see how he feels, and then put him in the simulator to expose him to real‑world constraints.
If he feels near 100 percent, we will let him race. If he still needs more time, we will stick to our plan and keep his health first. The last thing we want is an early return that could jeopardise his long‑term ability to perform at full capacity." The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, contested on the narrow, high‑speed streets of Baku, will start a day earlier than usual, with practice slated for Wednesday and the race on Saturday. This event kicks off a three‑week sprint that will see the championship move to Malaysia and then Singapore for the following two weekends.
Lawson, who was promoted from Racing Bulls to fill Hadjar’s seat, is no stranger to the Red Bull machinery. He previously enjoyed a brief two‑race stint at the start of the 2024 season, and he has been a regular point‑scorer for Racing Bulls, achieving eighth‑place qualifying positions and finishing in the points at both Zandvoort and the Spanish round in Madrid, where he secured a sixth‑place finish. "He’s done a very good job," Mekane praised. "We all know how challenging it is to jump into a different team and a different car, and he has met, if not exceeded, our expectations.
He collected valuable points in Madrid with a P6, repeated a strong performance in Zandvoort, and would have likely done the same in Monza if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg that caused damage." Mekane continued, "The picture is completely different from the early part of the 2025 season when he first joined us, and we are grateful and pleased with his progress." Lawson’s confidence has blossomed during his time with Racing Bulls, and he entered the season with a consistent points‑scoring rhythm before being called up to the senior Red Bull seat on short notice. "He continues to develop as a driver," Mekane noted, recalling his work with Lawson at both Red Bull outfits. "He remains calm behind the wheel and highly focused." The team principal highlighted Lawson’s disciplined approach: "He keeps things simple in his communication with the engineers and in how he tackles his own performance and the car’s behavior.
He concentrates on the fundamentals, gets the basics right, and that strategy is paying off. With more time in the Red Bull car, he can refine his technique further, but his current foundation is already very strong." As the F1 calendar moves into its final stretch, fans can catch the Azerbaijan Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1, with the race taking place on a Saturday as part of a triple‑header that runs from September 24 to 26. The event will be streamed via NOW, offering a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time.