Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekhié has reiterated that the French driver Isack Hadjar’s rehabilitation will remain the top priority, and the team will not rush him back onto the grid. The decision on whether he will be fit to race at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be taken after a series of assessments, including a dedicated simulator session, later this week. Hadjar has been absent from the last three rounds after injuring his wrist during a routine training drill that took place as the championship emerged from its summer hiatus. In his stead, Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson was called up to fill the vacant seat.

Lawson, a New Zealander, previously raced for the sister team and briefly stepped into a senior Red Bull car at the start of the previous season. Speaking to the media after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, Mekhié explained that the recovery timetable is proceeding as expected. He added that a simulator run is scheduled to gauge Hadjar’s readiness for a possible return in Baku.

"There is nothing wrong with Isack's recovery. We have learned that this type of injury follows a fairly typical healing curve," Mekhié said.

"We will therefore maintain the same measured approach we have been using. "We have a little over a week to monitor his condition, to see how he feels, and then we will put him in the simulator to expose him to realistic constraints.

If he feels near 100 per cent, we will give him the green light. If he still senses that the healing process isn’t complete, we will stick to our principle of putting his health first.

"What we do not want is an early comeback that could jeopardise his long‑term ability to perform at 100 per cent." The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, contested on the street circuit of Baku, will start a day earlier than usual, with practice slated for Wednesday and the race on Saturday. This event kicks off a three‑week sprint of back‑to‑back races, followed by events in Malaysia and Singapore.

Lawson’s promotion from Racing Bulls to the senior Red Bull team has been well‑received. He previously held a temporary seat at the beginning of the 2025 season, and his recent performances have been solid. In Zandvoort and Madrid he qualified eighth on both occasions and scored points, finishing sixth in Madrid. "He has done an excellent job," Mekhié praised.

"We all know how challenging it is to switch to a different team and a different car, and he has exceeded our expectations. He secured valuable points in Madrid with a P6 finish, replicated that performance in Zandvoort, and would likely have done the same in Monza if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg that caused damage. "His contributions are a stark contrast to the early part of the 2025 season when he was still finding his footing, so we are grateful and pleased with his progress," Mekhié added. Over the past year Lawson has rebuilt his confidence at Racing Bulls, delivering consistent points‑scoring finishes before his unexpected call‑up to the senior Red Bull squad.

Mekhié, who has worked closely with Lawson across both Red Bull teams, noted the driver’s continued development. "He remains calm behind the wheel and highly focused," Mekhié observed.

"He keeps things simple, both in his communication with the team and in his approach to extracting performance from the car. He concentrates on the fundamentals, gets the basics right, and that strategy is clearly paying off. With more seat time, we anticipate he will add an extra layer of finesse to his driving.

"His growth has been impressive, and his composure under pressure is a real asset," Mekhié concluded. The upcoming Azerbaijan race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, marking the start of a triple‑header weekend from September 24 to 26. Fans can stream the coverage via NOW, with a flexible subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

In summary, Red Bull’s message is clear: Isack Hadjar’s health comes first, and the team will take a measured, data‑driven approach to determine his readiness. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson has stepped up admirably, delivering solid points and demonstrating that he can adapt quickly to the demands of a senior Red Bull car. The next week will be crucial for both drivers as they prepare for the high‑speed challenges of Baku’s street circuit.