Isack Hadjar, the young French driver who shares Red Bull's number one seat with Max Verstappen, is slated to get back behind the wheel at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing three consecutive rounds due to a wrist problem. The 21‑year‑old made his debut with the team earlier this season and has already shown that he can hold his own in a highly competitive environment, but a training‑related injury forced him to sit out the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix. The injury occurred in August while Hadjar was completing a fitness routine during the summer hiatus that Formula 1 traditionally observes.
A strain to his wrist meant that he could not meet the physical demands of an F1 car, prompting Red Bull to replace him for the next three events. Liam Lawson, who had been competing for the Racing Bulls squad, was called up to fill Hadjar's seat at the main team, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into the Racing Bulls lineup for the same period. 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 a day earlier than usual to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan's Remembrance Day ceremonies, meaning that the first practice will start on Thursday morning, followed by a second session later that day.
Red Bull issued a statement on Tuesday morning expressing 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 also took the opportunity to thank Lawson for his professionalism and dedication during the substitute stint, noting that his performances under pressure were commendable and that he had contributed valuable points to the team's tally.
In parallel, the Racing Bulls outfit publicly thanked Yuki Tsunoda for stepping in during Hadjar's absence. Tsunoda, who has been serving as a reserve driver for both the senior Red Bull team and its junior counterpart, returned to his reserve duties after the three‑race spell, with the organization highlighting his commitment and the points he helped secure. Hadjar's early season had been promising. He secured a podium finish in Monaco, demonstrating that he could extract strong results from the Red Bull car even on tight, twisty circuits.
Before his injury, he sat eighth in the Drivers' Championship, trailing McLaren's Oscar Piastri by 23 points. The gap widened to 49 points during his three‑race hiatus, and his deficit to team‑mate 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 race of a three‑weekend swing that will continue with events in Malaysia and Singapore. The schedule for the Baku weekend is packed: on Wednesday, a drivers' press conference is set for 11:00 am, followed by a paddock‑uncut interview at 2:00 pm.
Thursday sees the first F2 practice at 6:55 am, the first F1 practice at 9:30 am, and the second practice at 12:30 pm, interspersed with team‑boss press briefings and the popular "The F1 Show" at 2:15 pm. Friday includes the F2 sprint, the third F1 practice, and qualifying sessions for both categories, with the main F1 qualifying slated for 1:00 pm. Saturday will host the final F2 feature race and the Grand Prix itself, which is expected to start around midday, followed by post‑race analysis and reaction segments. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and streamed via NOW, with no long‑term contract required.
Hadjar's comeback is more than just a return to racing; it represents a test of his resilience and the team's ability to integrate a driver back into a high‑pressure environment after a medical setback. The wrist injury, while not career‑threatening, required careful rehabilitation to ensure that he could handle the steering loads and rapid directional changes demanded by a modern Formula 1 car.
Red Bull's medical staff confirmed that Hadjar has completed a full rehabilitation program and cleared all functional tests, giving both the driver and the team confidence that he can compete safely. Looking ahead, Hadjar's performance in Baku will be closely watched by commentators and fans alike.
A strong showing could help him close the points gap to both Verstappen and his rivals in the midfield, while also reaffirming Red Bull's confidence in his long‑term potential. Conversely, any lingering discomfort or lack of pace could raise questions about his readiness for the remainder of the season, especially as the calendar moves into the fast, high‑downforce circuits of Malaysia and Singapore. In summary, Isack Hadjar is set to rejoin the Red Bull garage for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a three‑race absence caused by a wrist injury sustained during off‑season training. The team has praised his swift recovery, thanked his temporary replacements for their contributions, and looks forward to seeing how the Frenchman performs on the street circuit of Baku.
The weekend promises a full slate of on‑track action, media engagements, and live coverage, providing an ideal platform for Hadjar to demonstrate that he is back to full fitness and ready to fight for points once again.