Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekane reiterated that the priority remains Isack Hadjar's full recovery rather than hastening his comeback after the French driver suffered a wrist injury in a routine training session before the sport resumed from its summer hiatus. Mekane explained that the team will conduct a series of assessments, including a simulator run, before deciding whether Hadjar can compete at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. Hadjar has been absent from the grid for the past three rounds, having injured his wrist while performing a standard training drill ahead of the season's restart.
In his stead, Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson stepped up from the sister team to fill the vacant seat, while Yuki Tsunoda continued his duties with Racing Bulls. After the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, Mekane said the recovery timetable is proceeding as expected. He highlighted that a simulator session scheduled for the coming week will give engineers a clearer picture of Hadjar's physical state and his ability to handle the car's demands under realistic conditions. "There is nothing wrong with Isack's recovery.
We have learned that his type of injury follows a fairly normal healing curve," Mekane told reporters. "Therefore we will stick with the same measured approach we have been using. In a week's time we will re‑evaluate everything." He added that the team now has just over a week to monitor the young driver's progress, gauge how he feels, and then put him through a simulated run that mimics the real‑world stresses of a street circuit.
"If he feels close to 100 percent, we will give him the green light. If he indicates that his wrist is not yet fully ready, we will keep our focus on his long‑term health and delay his return," Mekane said.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which takes place on Baku's narrow street layout, will start a day earlier than usual, with practice sessions slated for Wednesday and the race on Saturday. It marks the first leg of a three‑race sprint that will continue with events in Malaysia and Singapore over the following two weekends. Lawson, who previously had a brief two‑race stint with Red Bull at the start of the 2025 season, has now been called upon to cover for Hadjar.
The New Zealander has already shown his adaptability, qualifying eighth on two occasions and scoring points in both Zandvoort and Madrid, where he finished sixth. "He has done a very good job," Mekane praised. "Switching to a different team and a different car is never easy, but Liam has risen to the challenge and met, if not exceeded, our expectations. He collected valuable points in Madrid with a P6 finish and delivered a similar performance in Zandvoort.
In Monza he would have likely done the same if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg that caused damage." Mekane noted that Lawson's recent form at Racing Bulls has been on an upward trajectory, giving him confidence heading into his temporary promotion to the senior Red Bull outfit. "He continues to develop as a driver," Mekane said. "He remains calm behind the wheel, focused, and he keeps things simple.
He works closely with the team, sticks to the fundamentals, and that approach is paying off. With more time in the car he can add another layer of finesse, but his foundation is already very strong." The team’s cautious stance on Hadjar mirrors a broader philosophy in Formula 1: protecting a driver’s long‑term potential often outweighs the short‑term gain of a rushed comeback. Mekane emphasized that an early return could jeopardise Hadjar's ability to perform at his peak later in the season, especially given the physically demanding nature of street circuits like Baku. As the Azerbaijan race approaches, fans can expect to see Lawson piloting the Red Bull car on Saturday, while Hadjar continues his rehabilitation program, which includes physiotherapy, strength work, and the upcoming simulator assessment.
Should his wrist heal faster than anticipated, Mekane hinted that a surprise appearance could still be on the cards, but only if the data confirms he is truly back to 100 percent. The Grand Prix weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through NOW without a long‑term contract. The race marks the beginning of a thrilling triple‑header that will test teams across three very different circuits, making the decisions made in Baku crucial for the championship battle as it heads into the final stretch of the season.