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 off‑season fitness work. The 21‑year‑old, who has shown promise as Max Verstappen’s teammate in his debut season, missed the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix after hurting his wrist in August, when the Formula 1 calendar was on its summer hiatus.
Hadjar’s return will be marked by his participation in the two practice sessions scheduled for Thursday at the Baku City Circuit. The weekend’s timetable has been shifted forward by a day to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day, meaning the driver will have the opportunity to test the car and reacquaint himself with the demanding street layout before the race itself. In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Oracle Red Bull Racing expressed enthusiasm about the Frenchman’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’s message highlighted both the medical clearance and the confidence they have in Hadjar’s ability to perform after a relatively short rehabilitation period. During Hadjar’s absence, Liam Lawson was elevated from the Racing Bulls squad to fill the vacant seat at Red Bull, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into the junior team’s line‑up. Red Bull publicly thanked Lawson for his professionalism and dedication over the three races, noting that he delivered "impressive performances" under challenging circumstances.
The team also praised Tsunoda for his contributions, acknowledging the valuable points he secured while acting as a stand‑in. The broader context of the weekend includes a packed schedule of support series and media events. On Wednesday, drivers will attend a press conference at 11:00 am, followed by the paddock‑focused "Paddock Uncut" at 2:00 pm.
Thursday’s agenda features an F2 practice session at 6:55 am, the first Formula 1 practice at 9:00 am (with the official start at 9:30 am), and a second practice later in the day. The team bosses’ press conference is slated for noon, and the day concludes with the popular "The F1 Show" at 2:15 pm.
Friday’s program includes the F2 sprint race in the morning, a third practice session for the Grand Prix, and the F2 feature race. Qualifying for the Azerbaijan GP is scheduled for 1:00 pm, with additional analysis segments such as "Ted’s Qualifying Notebook" at 3:00 pm. The Saturday race day begins with the second F2 feature race, followed by the main Grand Prix start at 12:00 pm, and post‑race commentary later in the afternoon.
All of these sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming options available via NOW without a long‑term contract. Hadjar’s performance prior to his injury had been solid.
He secured a podium finish in Monaco, demonstrating his speed on a circuit that rewards precision and bravery. At the time of his injury, he was sitting eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 23 points. Since then, the gap has widened to 49 points, reflecting the points he missed while sidelined. Before the summer break, Hadjar was 38 points behind Verstappen after the Hungarian Grand Prix; the missed races have now left him 74 points adrift of the Dutch champion.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix also serves as the opening leg of a three‑race swing that will continue in Malaysia and Singapore over the following two weekends. This triple‑header is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the remainder of the 2026 championship battle, as teams and drivers adjust strategies for back‑to‑back street circuits in Asia.
Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls, echoed the gratitude expressed by the senior squad. They thanked Yuki Tsunoda for stepping up over the past three events, emphasizing his commitment and the valuable points he contributed. The team also confirmed that Lawson will return to his regular seat at VCARB for the remainder of the weekend, while Hadjar resumes his duties with a fully healed wrist. Looking ahead, Hadjar’s confirmed status as Verstappen’s teammate for the 2027 season adds extra significance to his comeback.
The Frenchman will aim to build on his early achievements, gain more experience, and close the points gap to the team leader. His return in Baku will also provide crucial data for the engineers as they fine‑tune the car for the high‑downforce, high‑temperature conditions typical of the upcoming Asian races. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how quickly Hadjar can regain his rhythm after the layoff. The Baku circuit, with its long straight, tight corners, and a mix of high‑speed sections, offers a demanding test of both driver skill and car performance.
A strong showing could boost his confidence and reinforce Red Bull’s confidence in his long‑term potential. In summary, Isack Hadjar’s return to the Formula 1 grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the end of a brief but challenging recovery period. With the support of his team, the gratitude expressed toward his temporary replacements, and a packed schedule of practice and qualifying sessions, the weekend promises to be a significant milestone in his rookie campaign and a key chapter in the unfolding 2026 championship narrative.