Isack Hadjar, the young French driver who has spent his rookie year alongside Max Verstappen at Oracle Red Bull Racing, is slated to make his return to the Formula One grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The 21‑year‑old missed the previous three rounds – the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix – after sustaining a wrist injury during a routine fitness session in the summer break. The injury forced him to sit out the races, but medical assessments now confirm that he has recovered fully and is ready to get back behind the wheel.
Hadjar's comeback will be marked during the Thursday practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit. The race weekend has been shifted forward by a day to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day, meaning the first practice will take place on Thursday rather than the usual Friday. Red Bull issued a statement on Tuesday morning expressing enthusiasm about the Frenchman's return: "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 the drivers who stepped in during Hadjar's absence.
Liam Lawson, who had been promoted from the Racing Bulls (Red Bull’s junior team) to fill Hadjar's seat for the three missed events, will revert to his original role. Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese driver who served as a reserve for the senior team, also returned to his reserve duties for both the main Red Bull squad and the junior outfit. In a joint statement, Red Bull praised Lawson’s professionalism and dedication, noting that he delivered "impressive performances" under challenging circumstances and contributed valuable points to the team. The organization also extended gratitude to Tsunoda for his effort and the points he secured while covering for Hadjar.
Hadjar’s season up to his injury had been promising. He secured a podium finish in Monaco, showcasing his speed and composure on a demanding street circuit.
At the time of his withdrawal, he sat eighth in the Drivers' Championship, trailing McLaren's Oscar Piastri by 23 points. Since then, the gap has widened to 49 points, reflecting the difficulty of maintaining momentum while sidelined. Prior to the summer break, Hadjar was 38 points behind Verstappen after the Hungarian Grand Prix; now, with the missed races, he finds himself 74 points adrift of the Dutch champion.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the opening of a three‑race swing for the 2026 season, with subsequent events scheduled in Malaysia and Singapore over the next two weekends. The full weekend itinerary includes a drivers' press conference on Wednesday morning, a series of practice sessions on Thursday and Friday, and the qualifying and race on Saturday. Additional support races, such as the Formula 2 sprint and feature races, will run alongside the main event, providing fans with a packed schedule of on‑track action. Red Bull’s strategic plan for the remainder of the season remains focused on maximizing points for both drivers while integrating the young talent of Hadjar back into the team dynamic.
The Frenchman’s return is expected to bolster the squad’s performance, especially as the team navigates the high‑downforce, street‑circuit challenges of Baku, where overtaking opportunities are limited but a well‑timed pit strategy can make a decisive difference. Beyond the immediate race weekend, Hadjar’s long‑term future with Red Bull looks secure. The team has already confirmed that he will continue as Verstappen’s teammate for the 2027 season, indicating confidence in his development and potential to challenge for podiums and possibly victories in the coming years.
This commitment underscores Red Bull’s broader philosophy of nurturing young drivers through its junior program and providing them with the resources and mentorship needed to succeed at the highest level. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how quickly Hadjar can regain his rhythm after a three‑week hiatus. While the wrist injury was not career‑threatening, any time away from a car can affect a driver’s feel for the vehicle, especially on a circuit as demanding as Baku, which combines long straights with tight, technical sections.
However, Hadjar’s prior performances suggest he possesses the adaptability and technical feedback skills necessary to reacclimate swiftly. In summary, Isack Hadjar’s return to the Red Bull lineup at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks a significant moment for both the driver and the team. After a brief but challenging spell away from competition, the Frenchman is set to resume his role alongside Max Verstappen, with the team expressing confidence in his full recovery and readiness to compete. The weekend promises intense on‑track battles, strategic intrigue, and the opportunity for Hadjar to demonstrate that his early-season promise remains intact despite the setback.