Red Bull’s young French driver Isack Hadjar is poised to get back behind the wheel at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix following a three‑race absence caused by a wrist injury sustained during his off‑season fitness routine. The 21‑year‑old, who has shown promise as Max Verstappen’s teammate in his debut season, missed the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds after injuring his wrist in August, when Formula 1 was on its summer hiatus. His return will be marked by participation in both Thursday practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit, with the weekend’s timetable shifted forward by a day to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day.
In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Oracle Red Bull Racing expressed enthusiasm about Hadjar’s recovery: "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 team also extended gratitude to Liam Lawson, who stepped up from the Racing Bulls squad to fill Hadjar’s seat for the three missed events, and to reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda, who covered Lawson’s spot at Red Bull’s junior team.
"The team would like to sincerely thank Liam for his professionalism, dedication and hard work over the past three races," Red Bull added. "Stepping in under challenging circumstances, he delivered some impressive performances and made a valuable contribution to the team.
We wish him all the very best as he returns to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls." The organization also praised Tsunoda’s efforts, noting his valuable points haul and his return to a reserve role for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls. Hadjar’s early season had been solid. He secured a podium finish in Monaco, demonstrating his capacity to challenge the sport’s elite.
Before his injury, he sat eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 23 points. That gap widened to 49 points during his time away, while his deficit to team‑mate Max Verstappen grew from 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix to 74 points at the start of the Azerbaijan weekend.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the opening leg of a three‑race swing that will continue in Malaysia and Singapore over the following two weekends, making the event a pivotal moment in the 2026 title chase. The schedule for the Baku weekend is packed: - 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, GP practice one at 9:00 am (session begins 9:30 am), F2 qualifying at 10:55 am, team bosses’ press conference at 12:00 pm, GP 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, GP practice three at 9:15 am (session begins 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 post‑race analysis throughout the afternoon. - Sunday, 27 September: Final race coverage, chequered flag reaction at 2:00 pm, and additional commentary segments.
All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming available via NOW – a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time. Hadjar’s return is more than just a personal milestone; it restores Red Bull’s full driver lineup at a critical juncture in the championship. The Frenchman’s ability to score points and support Verstappen’s title defense will be essential, especially as the team navigates the demanding street circuit of Baku, known for its high‑speed straights and tight corners. Moreover, his comeback provides an opportunity to rebuild the points gap to rivals such as McLaren and Ferrari, who are eager to capitalize on any weakness.
While Lawson and Tsunoda have earned commendations for their interim performances, the focus now shifts back to Hadjar. The team’s confidence in his recovery suggests that his wrist has healed sufficiently to endure the physical stresses of a full race weekend. Should he match or exceed his pre‑injury form, he could finish within the points and potentially challenge for another podium, reinforcing Red Bull’s dominance heading into the Asian leg of the season.
Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how quickly Hadjar can regain his rhythm after three weeks away from competition. The practice sessions will offer a glimpse of his current pace and how well he adapts to the Baku track conditions, which can vary dramatically due to temperature fluctuations and wind.
In summary, Isack Hadjar’s anticipated return at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix signals the end of a brief but impactful injury layoff. Red Bull’s official statements underline both gratitude to the substitute drivers and excitement about Hadjar’s full‑time comeback. With the championship now entering a decisive triple‑header, every point will matter, and Hadjar’s performance could play a pivotal role in shaping the remainder of the 2026 Formula 1 season.