Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will continue as Max Verstappen's teammate for the 2027 Formula One season. The French driver, who joined the team at the beginning of the current campaign 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. Now fully recovered, Hadjar returned to action at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held at the Baku street circuit on Saturday and broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The announcement follows Red Bull's earlier confirmation that four‑time world champion Max Verstappen has signed a new deal extending his stay with the team until at least the close of 2030.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar's progress, stating, "We are thrilled to keep Isack with us. Since his arrival at the start of the year he has been outstanding both on‑track and off‑track, especially given that this is only his second season in Formula 1.
Extending his contract was therefore a straightforward decision." Mekies added that Hadjar immersed himself in the engineering environment from day one, spending countless hours in the Milton Keynes factory working alongside his technical team to develop the car. "His composure in Melbourne’s opening weekend was remarkable, and he quickly earned his place beside Max," Mekies said. The second seat at Red Bull is widely regarded as the most demanding on the grid. Former teammates such as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have all struggled to match Verstappen’s pace, and the role has often been described as a make‑or‑break test for any driver.
Hadjar, however, has shown he can compete at a high level, even out‑performing his teammate on several occasions this season, which has helped to silence doubts about his suitability for the role. Despite missing the last three events, Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers' Championship. He also 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 highlighted the difficulty of Hadjar’s recovery period, noting that the contract extension reflects the team's confidence in his talent and resilience.
"We have many objectives to achieve this season, but it is reassuring to see the entire organization—drivers, engineers, and factory staff—aligned and committed to a common goal," he said. Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater commented on the situation, explaining that Hadjar’s injury resulted from a heavy‑bag workout used in his boxing training routine.
"He’s back now and will partner Max in 2027. Liam Lawson filled in admirably during his absence, but no one was surprised that the team chose to retain Hadjar.
He has been Verstappen’s most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left the squad," Slater observed. Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about remaining with Oracle Red Bull Racing.
"Joining the team eight months ago, I immediately grasped the scale and ambition of the operation. The talent in the factory is extraordinary, and driving alongside a four‑time champion is a privilege. From day one I have been dedicated to earning the trust placed in me, and with the support of Laurent and the entire Milton Keynes staff, I aim to keep improving every day," he said.
During the post‑race press conference in Baku, Hadjar revealed that he had approached the contract talks with a relaxed attitude, admitting he was unaware of the exact length of the new deal. "I let my team handle the negotiations. I focus on delivering on the track, and that’s it.
It was straightforward," he explained. When asked whether the agreement spanned multiple years, he replied, "I don’t know the exact term, but if you perform well you stay, and that’s all that matters." Regarding his wrist injury, Hadjar described a small fracture on the outer side of his wrist that required a lengthy, non‑surgical healing process. "It’s still painful, but after about six weeks the bone is strong enough to withstand the stresses of racing. I tested the simulator and felt it mimics the cockpit well, so I’m confident I’ll be fine on track," he said.
He also noted that training sessions had been dull without the use of his left arm, but he is eager to get back to full physical preparation. The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, and while Red Bull has not imposed new restrictions on his training regimen, Hadjar acknowledged he will be more cautious in the future. "Next time I’ll think twice and perhaps strap the wrist, but there are no formal limits.
I’m not a child; I just need to be smarter about it," he added. Across Formula 1, the top four teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull—have already locked in their driver line‑ups for 2027. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac also have contracts secured, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg.
The remaining teams—Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin—still have open seats. Notably, Fernando Alonso’s future remains uncertain; his decision could free up a coveted spot at Aston Martin. Meanwhile, Haas is expected to keep Oliver Bearman, but teammate Esteban Ocon may be replaced by Ferrari junior Rafael Camara for 2027 after a strong Formula 2 campaign. Red Bull’s junior program continues to produce talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the current F2 championship and the team weighing options between promoting Arvid Lindblad or Liam Lawson.
The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend features a packed schedule: F2 practice and qualifying sessions, team‑boss press conferences, and the main F1 events on Saturday and Sunday, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event. Fans are encouraged to use Chrome for the optimal video experience.