Red Bull Racing has officially announced that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen as his teammate for the 2027 Formula One season. Hadjar, who earned his place at the team after a standout rookie year with Racing Bulls in 2025, joined Red Bull at the beginning of the current campaign.
Although a wrist injury forced him to sit out the final three rounds of the season, the 21‑year‑old has now recovered sufficiently to return to the grid for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The team had already confirmed in June that Verstappen has extended his contract with Red Bull until at least the end of 2030, cementing the Dutchman's long‑term future with the outfit.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s progress, saying, "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Isack. Since he arrived at the start of the year, his performance on‑track and his professionalism off‑track have been exemplary, especially given that this is only his second season in Formula 1.
Extending his contract was therefore an easy decision." Mekies added that Hadjar immersed himself in the technical side of the operation, spending countless hours in the Milton Keynes factory collaborating with engineers to develop the car and constantly seeking ways to improve his driving. Mekies recalled Hadjar’s debut weekend in Melbourne, noting the French driver handled the step up to a top‑tier car with “remarkable composure” and quickly proved he deserved his seat.
That early impression has been reinforced throughout the year; despite missing three races, Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers' Championship and reclaimed a podium finish at Monaco after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed a penalty that had originally stripped Pierre Gasly of his result. The second seat at Red Bull is widely regarded as the most demanding on the grid. Former teammates such as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have all struggled to match Verstappen’s pace, leading to frequent speculation about who could fill the role permanently. Hadjar, however, has shown he can compete closely with the Dutchman, even edging him out on a few occasions this season, which has helped silence many of the doubts that typically surround the position.
In a press conference in Baku, Mekies reflected on Hadjar’s injury period, describing it as “a difficult time for Isack” but emphasizing that the contract extension demonstrates the team’s confidence in his talent and potential. "We have a lot to achieve this season, and it’s reassuring to know that our drivers, engineers and factory staff are all aligned and committed to the same goals," he said.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained the circumstances of Hadjar’s absence, noting that the wrist injury resulted from a heavy‑bag boxing drill that the driver incorporates into his fitness routine. "He’s recovered and will be back on the grid this weekend, and there’s no surprise that Red Bull have kept him for 2027," Slater commented. "Liam Lawson performed admirably as a stand‑in, but Hadjar has been Verstappen’s most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left the team. Hadjar himself expressed excitement about remaining with Oracle Red Bull Racing.
"When I joined eight months ago I immediately grasped the scale and ambition of the organisation. The talent at the factory is incredible, and driving alongside a four‑time champion like Max is a privilege," he said. He added that he has devoted himself to listening, learning and pushing his limits every day, grateful for the support of Laurent Mekies and the entire team.
When asked about the contract negotiations, Hadjar admitted he was largely hands‑off. "I let my management handle the talks.
I focus on the track, and everything else falls into place," he explained. When pressed about the length of the deal, he shrugged, "I don’t really know the exact term, but if you perform well you stay. Simple as that." Regarding his wrist injury, Hadjar described it as a small fracture outside the wrist that required a lengthy, non‑surgical recovery. "It’s still painful, but after about six weeks it’s strong enough to handle the stresses of racing.
The simulator tests went well, and the cockpit feels almost identical, so I’m confident I’m ready for the adrenaline of a real race," he said. He also noted that the rehabilitation period was somewhat dull, as he could not use his left arm for most exercises.
The injury occurred during a routine boxing session, a component of his fitness regimen. Red Bull has not imposed any new restrictions on his training, but Hadjar said he will be more cautious in the future, perhaps using straps or taking extra care to avoid similar incidents.
Beyond Red Bull, 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 drivers, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg.
This leaves Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin as the only teams still finalising their rosters. Aston Martin’s seat could open if Fernando Alonso decides to retire, a decision that remains uncertain as the Spaniard has expressed dissatisfaction with the current regulations and the ongoing engine partnership with Honda.
In the meantime, Haas is expected to keep Britain’s Oliver Bearman, but his teammate Esteban Ocon may be replaced by Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, who impressed during his Formula 2 campaign. Red Bull’s junior programme continues to produce talent, with Nikola Tsolov currently leading the F2 championship.
Historically, Red Bull has a track record of promoting its junior drivers into F1 seats as soon as possible. However, the team now faces a delicate choice: both Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson have delivered strong performances for Racing Bulls this year, making any decision to drop one of them a potentially harsh move. The upcoming weekend’s schedule includes a packed programme of practice, qualifying and race sessions across both F1 and F2, all of which will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will kick off on Saturday at midday, marking the continuation of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Viewers can watch the action via Sky Sports F1 or stream through NOW with a flexible, cancel‑anytime subscription.