Isack Hadjar, the young French driver who shares a Red Bull Racing seat with four-time world champion Max Verstappen, is slated to make his comeback at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku after missing three rounds due to a wrist injury sustained during off‑season fitness work. The 21‑year‑old, who has shown promise throughout his debut season, was forced to sit out the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix after hurting his wrist in August, when the sport was on a summer hiatus. The team confirmed that Hadjar will be back in the Red Bull cockpit for the Thursday practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit.
The weekend’s timetable 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 Friday. In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Oracle Red Bull Racing expressed enthusiasm about the 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." During Hadjar’s absence, Liam Lawson was promoted from the junior squad Racing Bulls to fill the vacant Red Bull seat, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into Lawson’s former role at the junior team.
Red Bull praised Lawson’s performance under pressure, noting that he delivered "impressive performances and made a valuable contribution to the team" and wishing him well as he returns to the Racing Bulls operation. The organization also thanked Tsunoda for his dedication, highlighting the points he secured for the junior outfit during the three‑race stint. Hadjar’s early season had been solid.
He secured a podium finish in Monaco, demonstrating his ability to compete at the front of the pack. Before his injury, he was eighth in the Drivers' Championship, trailing Verstappen by 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix, the last race before the summer break.
The missed races have widened that gap to 74 points, and his deficit to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has grown from 23 to 49 points, putting additional pressure on him to maximize points in the remaining events. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the opening of a three‑race swing that will continue with events in Malaysia and Singapore over the next two weekends.
The schedule for the Baku weekend is packed: a drivers' press conference on Wednesday morning, followed by F2 practice, two Formula 1 practice sessions, qualifying, and the race itself on Saturday. All sessions will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event and are also available via the NOW streaming platform, which offers a contract‑free, cancel‑anytime option. Hadjar’s return is significant not only for his personal championship hopes but also for Red Bull’s broader strategy.
The team relies on both its lead driver and a strong second‑row performer to secure Constructors' points, especially as the season approaches its climax. With the Baku race offering a mix of high‑speed straights and tight city‑centre corners, a fully fit Hadjar could capitalize on his qualifying pace and racecraft to claw back some lost ground. In addition to the on‑track action, the weekend will feature several media events.
The team bosses’ press conference will provide insights into the car’s development status, while the F1 Show and Ted’s Qualifying Notebook will offer analysis and predictions. Fans are encouraged to use Chrome for an optimal video experience, as the broadcast platform notes that the player works best on that browser. Overall, the narrative surrounding Hadjar’s comeback is one of resilience and determination. After a wrist injury that could have sidelined him for the remainder of the season, his swift rehabilitation and the team’s confidence in his fitness underscore his value to Red Bull.
As the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicks off the final stretch of the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, all eyes will be on Baku to see whether Hadjar can translate his early‑season promise into a strong finish, helping Red Bull maintain its dominance while keeping his own championship aspirations alive.