Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside four‑time world champion Max Verstappen for the 2027 Formula One campaign. The French driver, who joined the team at the beginning of the current season after a standout debut with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the final three rounds of the year due to a wrist injury sustained during a summer training session. He is now declared fit and will take part in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku this weekend, an event that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The announcement follows last month’s news that Verstappen himself has signed a new deal extending his stay at Red Bull until at least the end of 2030.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s rapid integration, stating, "From day one Isack has thrown himself into the project, spending countless hours in the factory with his engineers, soaking up data and constantly looking for ways to improve the car. His composure in Melbourne during his first weekend was remarkable, and it quickly became clear he deserved the seat." Mekies added that extending the contract was a straightforward decision given Hadjar’s professionalism both on and off the track. The second seat at Red Bull has long been viewed as the most demanding on the grid.
Former teammates such as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda all struggled to match Verstappen’s pace, and the role has often been described as a proving ground for future champions. Hadjar, however, has shown he can compete closely with the Dutch driver, even out‑performing him on a handful of occasions this season, which has helped to silence any lingering doubts about his suitability. Despite missing the last three races, 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 commented on Hadjar’s recovery, saying, "The period following his injury was challenging, but this contract extension demonstrates the confidence we have in his talent and determination. We are eager to see him back in the cockpit and contributing to the team’s objectives." He also highlighted the unity within the organisation, noting that drivers, engineers and factory staff are all aligned toward shared goals. Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained the circumstances of Hadjar’s injury: "He injured his wrist while hitting a heavy bag as part of his boxing training. The fracture was minor, no surgery was required, and after a careful rehabilitation program he’s now ready to race again.
Liam Lawson filled in admirably during his absence, but there was never any real question about Hadjar returning to the seat." Slater added that Hadjar has been Verstappen’s most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure. Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about the new deal: "Joining Oracle Red Bull Racing eight months ago, I instantly grasped the scale and ambition of the operation. The talent pool here is extraordinary, and driving alongside a four‑time champion is a privilege I take very seriously. From day one I’ve committed myself to learning, listening and pushing my limits every single day.
The support from Laurent and the whole Milton Keynes team has allowed me to justify the faith they placed in me." He also mentioned that he had been completely relaxed during the contract talks, leaving the negotiations to his management team and focusing solely on his performance on the track. When asked about the length of the agreement, Hadjar admitted he was not entirely sure, replying, "I don’t really know the exact term, but if you perform well you stay.
That’s all that matters to me." He went on to describe his wrist injury in detail, noting a small fracture outside the joint that required a six‑week natural healing process. "There was no surgery, just a gradual rehab. It’s still a bit painful, but the wrist is strong enough now to handle the forces in the car.
I tested the simulator extensively and felt the same loads, so I’m confident the transition back to racing will be smooth," he explained. The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, a part of his cross‑training regimen. Hadjar confirmed that Red Bull has not imposed any new restrictions on his training, but he plans to be more cautious in the future: "Next time I’ll think twice before throwing a heavy bag, maybe strap my wrist a bit. I’m not a child; I just need to be smarter about it." Looking 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 contracts, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg. The remaining teams—Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin—still have open seats. Fernando Alonso’s future remains uncertain; his retirement would free up a coveted seat at Aston Martin, but he has indicated that a decision will not come soon, citing dissatisfaction with current regulations. The FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has even suggested accelerating the development of Aston Martin’s new Honda power unit.
In the midfield, Britain’s Oliver Bearman is expected to stay at Haas, but his teammate Esteban Ocon could lose his drive if Haas decides to promote Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, who impressed during his Formula 2 campaign. Red Bull’s junior program continues to produce talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the F2 championship and likely to receive an F1 opportunity soon.
However, Red Bull faces a delicate decision regarding its current Racing Bulls drivers, Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, both of whom have delivered strong performances this season. The upcoming race weekend schedule is as follows: Thursday, 24 September – F2 practice at 6:55 am, F2 qualifying at 10:55 am, team bosses’ press conference at 12 pm, and the second F2 practice session at 12:30 pm; Friday, 25 September – F2 sprint at 5:10 am, F2 practice three at 9:15 am, F2 feature race one at 11:10 am, and Azerbaijan GP qualifying build‑up at 12:30 pm, followed by the official qualifying session at 1 pm; Saturday, 26 September – F2 feature race two at 7:55 am, Grand Prix start at 10:30 am; Sunday – Azerbaijan Grand Prix main event at 12 pm, with post‑race analysis and highlights throughout the day. All sessions will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event and can be accessed via NOW without a long‑term contract. In summary, Isack Hadjar’s continuation with Red Bull Racing through 2027 underscores the team’s confidence in his abilities and their commitment to nurturing young talent.
His recovery from injury, steady performance and strong rapport with the team have solidified his position as a key component of Red Bull’s future success, while the broader driver market remains dynamic as teams finalize their line‑ups for the next season.