Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside Max Verstappen as his teammate 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 because of a wrist injury sustained during a training session over the summer break. He is now declared fit and will return to the grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The announcement comes after Red Bull revealed last month that four‑time world champion Max Verstappen has extended his contract to remain with the squad until at least the end of 2030.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar, saying, "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Isack. Since his arrival at the start of the year, he has impressed both on‑track and off‑track, especially given that this is only his second season in Formula 1. Extending his deal was therefore an easy decision." Mekies added that Hadjar quickly immersed himself in the team environment, spending countless hours in the Milton Keynes factory collaborating with engineers to develop the car and constantly seeking ways to improve his performance. Mekies recalled Hadjar's debut weekend in Melbourne, noting the youngster handled the step up to a top‑tier car with remarkable composure and immediately earned his place in the seat.
"From day one you could see his dedication and maturity," the team boss said. "He listened, learned and pushed the car to its limits, which is exactly what we look for in a Red Bull driver." The second Red Bull seat is widely regarded as the most demanding on the grid. Former occupants such as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have all struggled to match Verstappen's pace.
Hadjar, however, has shown he can compete closely with the Dutch champion, even out‑qualifying him on several occasions this year, which has helped to silence any doubts about his suitability for the role. 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 the reversal of Pierre Gasly's speeding penalties. Mekies highlighted the difficulty of the period following Hadjar's injury, stating, "The weeks after his wrist fracture were tough, but this contract extension shows how much confidence we have in his talent.
We are eager to see him back at full speed on the track." Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater commented, "Hadjar was out for three rounds after injuring his arm and wrist in a boxing‑training session. He has recovered and will be back this weekend, securing his place beside Verstappen for 2027. Liam Lawson filled in admirably, but no one was surprised to see Hadjar get the nod.
He has arguably been Verstappen's most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left the team." Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about the extension: "I am delighted to continue with Oracle Red Bull Racing. I joined eight months ago and instantly grasped the scale and ambition of this organisation. The talent here is extraordinary, and driving alongside a four‑time champion like Max is a privilege. From the moment I signed, I committed myself to the team, and with the support of Laurent and everyone at the factory, I have been able to justify the faith placed in me.
Every day I aim to listen, learn and push my limits further." During the post‑race press conference in Baku, Hadjar said he had been completely relaxed about the renewal talks and admitted he was unsure of the exact length of the new deal. "I let my people handle the negotiations," he explained. "I focus on the track; the rest is simple.
If you perform well, you stay." He also addressed his wrist injury, describing it as a small fracture outside the joint that required a lengthy, non‑surgical recovery. "It’s still painful, but after six weeks it’s strong enough to handle the stresses of racing.
The simulator tests went well, and the car feels almost identical to the real cockpit, so I’m confident I’ll be fine on track," Hadjar said. He noted that training sessions had been dull without his left arm, but he is now eager to get back to full fitness.
The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, a part of his conditioning routine. Red Bull has not imposed any new restrictions on his training, though Hadjar admitted he will be more cautious in the future: "Next time I’ll think twice, maybe strap my wrist.
I’m not a child; I just need to be smarter about it." With Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren all confirming their driver line‑ups through 2027, the remaining teams are still shaping their rosters. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have secured contracts for the next season, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg. The only open seats belong to Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin. Fernando Alonso’s future remains uncertain; his potential retirement could free up a seat at Aston Martin.
Meanwhile, Haas is expected to keep Oliver Bearman but may replace Esteban Ocon with Ferrari junior Rafael Camara for 2027 after Camara’s impressive Formula 2 performances. Red Bull’s junior program continues to produce talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the F2 championship and both Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson delivering strong results for Racing Bulls, making any driver reshuffle a delicate decision. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend schedule includes multiple support series, with F2 practice, qualifying and races interwoven with the F1 sessions.
All events will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, allowing fans to follow the action from practice through to the Grand Prix finale. The 2026 season continues to deliver excitement, and Hadjar’s confirmed stay at Red Bull adds another compelling storyline for the years ahead.