Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekane reiterated that the French driver Isack Hadjar’s rehabilitation remains on track and that the squad will not rush him back onto the grid before he is fully ready. The team has scheduled a series of assessments, including a simulator run, to decide whether Hadjar can take part in the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. Hadjar has been absent from the last three rounds after injuring his wrist during a routine training session that took place as Formula 1 emerged from its summer hiatus.
In his stead, Racing Bull’s reserve driver Liam Lawson has been called up to fill the seat. Lawson, who previously raced for the sister team Racing Bull, stepped into the Red Bull car for the Spanish Grand Prix weekend and has since been the stand‑in while Hadjar recovers. Speaking to the press after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, Mekane said the Frenchman’s healing process was proceeding exactly as expected. He explained that a dedicated simulator session would be used as a practical gauge of Hadjar’s physical condition and his ability to handle the unique demands of a street circuit like Baku.
“There is nothing wrong with Isack’s recovery. We have learned that his injury is typical for the type of trauma he sustained, and it follows a normal healing timeline,” Mekane told reporters.
He added that the team would maintain its current approach, giving Hadjar ample time to regain strength and confidence. “We have a little more than a week to evaluate how he feels, then we will put him in the simulator to expose him to real‑world constraints. If he feels close to 100 percent, we will let him race.
If he feels the recovery is not yet complete, we will stick to our plan and keep his health first,” Mekane explained. The core message was clear: an early comeback that could jeopardise long‑term performance is not an option. “We do not want an early return to compromise his ability to get back to full fitness later in the season,” he warned.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which takes place on the narrow, high‑speed streets of Baku, will start a day earlier than usual, with practice sessions scheduled for the coming Wednesday and the race on Saturday. This event marks the opening of a three‑week triple‑header that will continue with races in Malaysia and Singapore.
Lawson’s promotion from Racing Bull to the senior Red Bull seat has been a noteworthy storyline. The New Zealander previously enjoyed a brief two‑race stint with the team at the start of the 2024 season before returning to his original squad. Since taking over for Hadjar, Lawson has delivered solid performances, qualifying eighth on two occasions and scoring points in both Zandvoort and the Madrid street circuit, where he finished sixth. Mekane praised Lawson’s adaptability, noting how challenging it can be for a driver to switch teams and cars mid‑season.
“He has done an excellent job. Jumping into a different car and a different team is never easy, but he has met, and in many ways exceeded, our expectations,” Mekane said. “He secured important points in Madrid with a P6 finish and replicated that performance in Zandvoort.
In Monza he would likely have achieved a similar result if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg that caused damage.” The team’s confidence in Lawson is reflected in his recent form. Over the past year, he has rebuilt his confidence at Racing Bull, delivering consistent points finishes before his unexpected call‑up to the senior Red Bull team.
Mekane highlighted Lawson’s composure and focus, traits he has observed while working with the driver across both Red Bull outfits. “He remains calm in the car and very focused. He keeps things simple, which helps him work effectively with the engineers and extract the maximum from the car,” Mekane observed.
According to Mekane, Lawson’s methodical approach—focusing on the fundamentals before adding layers of finesse—has paid dividends. “He concentrates on getting the basics right, and that strategy is clearly working. With more time in the car, he can develop an even higher level of finesse, but his current foundation is already very strong,” the team principal explained. Looking ahead, Red Bull will continue to monitor Hadjar’s progress closely.
The upcoming week will involve medical checks, physical therapy updates, and the crucial simulator test designed to simulate the high‑downforce, high‑speed environment of Baku’s streets. Should Hadjar demonstrate that he feels fully recovered, the team is prepared to give him the green light for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
If any doubt remains, they will keep him sidelined, prioritising his long‑term health over short‑term gains. Fans can catch the live action of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as well as the subsequent Malaysian and Singapore races, on Sky Sports F1. The broadcast will be streamed via NOW, offering a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time. The Baku race, scheduled for Saturday, will kick off the triple‑header and set the tone for the final stretch of the season.
In summary, Red Bull’s message is unequivocal: Isack Hadjar’s recovery is on schedule, but the team will not compromise his future performance by rushing him back. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson has risen to the occasion, delivering respectable points finishes and proving his adaptability across both Red Bull teams. The next week will be decisive for Hadjar’s return, and the eyes of the F1 community will be on Baku to see whether the Frenchman can rejoin the grid or whether Red Bull will continue to prioritize his full recovery.