Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside four‑time champion Max Verstappen as the team’s second driver for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The French youngster, who joined the squad at the beginning of the current campaign after a standout rookie year with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the last three rounds because of a wrist injury sustained during a summer‑break training session.
He is now cleared to race and will line up for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The announcement comes on the heels of Red Bull’s earlier confirmation that Verstappen has signed a fresh deal extending his stay until at least the end of 2030. Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s rapid integration, saying, “From day one, Isack threw himself into the operation, spending countless hours in the factory with his engineers, absorbing data and offering fresh ideas. His composure in Melbourne showed he could handle the step up to a top‑tier car with remarkable poise.” Mekies added that extending Hadjar’s contract was an easy decision because of his professionalism both on and off the track, especially given that this is only his second season in Formula 1.
“He’s been superb in every respect, and his willingness to learn has made a tangible impact on the car’s development,” Mekies said. The second seat at Red Bull has long been viewed 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. Hadjar, however, has shown he can compete closely with the Dutch driver and even out‑performed him on a few occasions this year, keeping the position under relatively little scrutiny despite his injury‑related absence.
Even after missing three races, Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers’ Championship and reclaimed a podium finish at Monaco after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed the reversal of Pierre Gasly’s penalty for exceeding the speed limit in the pit lane. Mekies noted that the period following Hadjar’s injury was challenging, but the new contract demonstrates the team’s confidence in his future.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained, “Hadjar’s injury was caused by a heavy‑bag workout for his boxing training, but he’s recovered and will be back at the wheel in Baku. Liam Lawson filled in admirably, yet it was never in doubt that Hadjar would retain the seat.
He’s arguably the most competitive teammate Verstappen has had since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure.” Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about continuing with Oracle Red Bull Racing, stating, “I joined the team eight months ago and instantly grasped the scale and ambition of the operation. The talent in the factory is extraordinary, and it’s a privilege to drive alongside a four‑time world champion. From the moment I signed, I committed myself to earning the trust placed in me, and with the support of Laurent and everyone in Milton Keynes, I’ve been able to justify that faith.” During the drivers’ press conference in Baku, Hadjar admitted he felt relaxed about the contract talks, even claiming he was unaware of the exact length of the new deal.
“I let my management handle the negotiations,” he said. “I focus on the track, and that’s all that matters.
If you perform well, you stay.” He also detailed his recovery from a small fracture near his wrist. “There was no surgery required, just a natural healing process.
It’s still painful, but after about six weeks the bone is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing. Sim testing went well, and the simulator feels almost identical to the cockpit, so I’m confident I can get back to full performance.” Hadjar’s injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, a discipline he incorporates into his training regimen.
He confirmed that Red Bull has not imposed any new restrictions on his physical preparation, though he acknowledged he will be more cautious in the future. “Next time I’ll think twice before taking a heavy bag swing,” he joked, adding that he will simply be more mindful rather than avoiding boxing altogether. The driver line‑ups for the sport’s top four teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull—are now locked in for 2027, with no changes expected. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have also secured their drivers through the next season, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg.
The remaining teams—Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin—still have open seats. Aston Martin’s future may hinge on Fernando Alonso’s decision; if the two‑time champion retires, a vacancy will emerge. Alonso has hinted that his departure will not be announced soon, citing dissatisfaction with the current regulations and expressing concerns about the performance of Aston Martin’s Honda power unit.
In the midfield, Britain’s Oliver Bearman is expected to stay at Haas, but his teammate Esteban Ocon could be displaced if Haas chooses to promote Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, who impressed in Formula 2. The current F2 leader, Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov, remains on the team’s radar, as Red Bull traditionally promotes promising talent quickly. Red Bull also faces a delicate decision regarding its Racing Bulls drivers, Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, both of whom have delivered strong performances this season.
Dropping either driver would be difficult, given their contributions. The upcoming weekend’s schedule is packed with action: F2 practice sessions begin at 9 am on Saturday, followed by qualifying, the F1 show, and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself, which will start at midday. All events will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event and can be accessed via NOW with a flexible subscription.
Overall, Hadjar’s contract extension underscores Red Bull’s commitment to nurturing young talent and maintaining a stable driver lineup capable of challenging for championships well into the next decade.