Red Bull Racing has 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 start 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 summer training session. Now fully recovered, Hadjar is back on the grid for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, a race that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The confirmation comes on the heels of a separate statement made last month confirming that four‑time world champion Max Verstappen has extended his contract with Red Bull until at least the end of 2030.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s rapid integration and performance, noting that the 21‑year‑old has impressed both on‑track and behind the scenes. "Since joining us at the beginning of the year, Isack has been outstanding in every respect. He has immersed himself in the technical work at the factory, spent countless hours with his engineers, and shown a genuine hunger to learn and improve. His composure during his debut weekend in Melbourne was remarkable, and he quickly earned his place beside Max," 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 struggled to match Verstappen's pace, and the role has historically seen a high turnover. Hadjar, however, has already demonstrated that he can compete closely with the Dutchman, even out‑qualifying or out‑performing him on several occasions this season.
This has helped to silence any lingering 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 highlighted the significance of the new contract, stating, "The period following his injury was challenging for Isack, but this extension reflects our confidence in his abilities and our belief that he will continue to grow with the team.
It’s encouraging to see the entire operation—drivers, engineers, and factory staff—aligned and moving forward together." Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater added perspective, explaining that Hadjar’s injury was the result of a heavy‑bag boxing drill that went awry. "He’s recovered well and will be back in the car this weekend.
Liam Lawson filled in admirably during his absence, but there was never any real question about Hadjar retaining the seat. He’s arguably been Verstappen’s toughest teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left the team," Slater observed.
Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about staying with Oracle Red Bull Racing. "When I arrived eight months ago, I instantly grasped the scale and ambition of this organization. The talent in the factory is incredible, and driving alongside a four‑time champion like Max is a privilege. From day one I committed myself to the team, and with the support of Laurent and everyone in Milton Keynes, I’ve been able to justify the faith placed in me.
Every day I aim to listen, learn and push my limits further," he said. During the drivers' press conference in Baku, Hadjar downplayed the contract talks, admitting he was largely unaware of the details. "I let my management handle the negotiations. I focus on the racing, and that’s it.
It was a straightforward process," he explained when asked whether the deal spanned multiple years. "I don’t know the exact length, but if you perform well you stay. Simple as that." When questioned about his wrist injury, Hadjar clarified that he suffered a small fracture just outside the wrist.
"No surgery was required, so the healing has been natural, albeit slow. It will remain uncomfortable for a while, but after about six weeks the bone is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing.
I tested the car in the simulator and it felt comparable to the cockpit, so I’m confident the transition back to the track will be smooth. The training sessions have been dull because I’ve been unable to use my left arm, but I’m eager to get back to full fitness," he said. The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, a component of his fitness regimen.
Red Bull has not imposed new restrictions on his training, though Hadjar admitted he will be more cautious moving forward. "Next time I’ll think twice before throwing a heavy bag.
Maybe strap my wrist, but there are no formal limits. I’m not a child; I just need to be smarter about it," he added.
Looking ahead, the top four teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull—have all secured their driver line‑ups through 2027 with no changes expected. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have also locked in their contracts, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg. The remaining teams—Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin—still have decisions to make. Fernando Alonso’s future remains a major variable; his retirement would open a seat at Aston Martin.
Meanwhile, Haas is likely to keep Oliver Bearman, but teammate Esteban Ocon could be replaced by Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, who impressed in Formula 2. Red Bull’s junior program continues to produce talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the current F2 championship.
Historically, the team has fast‑tracked promising drivers into F1 seats, though they now face a delicate choice: both Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson have performed admirably for Racing Bulls this year, making any decision about their future particularly difficult. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend schedule is packed with action: practice sessions on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, and the race on Sunday, all accompanied by F2 support races and analysis shows such as "The F1 Show" and "Ted’s Qualifying Notebook." Fans can watch live on Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming available via NOW without a long‑term contract. In summary, Isack Hadjar’s contract extension cements his place at the pinnacle of motorsport for the next three seasons. His resilience after injury, rapid adaptation to Red Bull’s high‑performance environment, and competitive edge against Max Verstappen suggest a bright future for the young Frenchman within one of the sport’s most dominant teams.