Isack Hadjar, the young French driver who has been sharing the Red Bull garage with Max Verstappen, is slated to make his comeback at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix following a three‑race absence caused by a wrist problem. The injury, which occurred during a fitness session over the summer break in August, forced him to miss the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds. Now, having completed a successful rehabilitation program, Hadjar will be back on the Baku City Circuit for the Thursday practice sessions, as the event’s timetable has been shifted a day earlier to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day.
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’s message highlighted both the driver’s health progress and the confidence they have in his ability to resume competitive duties.
During Hadjar’s hiatus, Liam Lawson was promoted from the junior outfit Racing Bulls to fill the vacant seat at Red Bull, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into the Racing Bulls car. Red Bull praised Lawson’s professionalism and dedication, noting that he performed admirably under challenging circumstances and contributed valuable points to the team. The organization also thanked Tsunoda for his efforts, acknowledging that his performances helped keep the junior squad competitive throughout Hadjar’s absence.
Hadjar’s first season with Red Bull has already shown promise. He secured a podium finish in Monaco, demonstrating that he can extract strong results from a car that is typically dominated by his teammate Verstappen. Prior to his injury, Hadjar was sitting eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 23 points. Since he missed the three races, that gap has widened to 49 points, and his deficit to Verstappen has grown from 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix to 74 points at present.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the opening race of a three‑weekend swing that will continue with events in Malaysia and Singapore. The schedule for the Baku weekend is packed with activities: - Wednesday, 23 September: Drivers’ press conference at 11:00 am, followed by the "Paddock Uncut" interview at 2:00 pm.
- Thursday, 24 September: F2 practice at 6:55 am, Azerbaijan GP Practice 1 at 9:30 am, F2 qualifying at 10:55 am, Team Bosses’ press conference at 12:00 pm, Practice 2 at 1:00 pm, and the F1 Show at 2:15 pm. - Friday, 25 September: F2 sprint at 5:10 am, Practice 3 at 9:30 am, F2 Feature Race 1 at 11:10 am, Qualifying build‑up at 12:30 pm, Azerbaijan GP qualifying at 1:00 pm, and Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm. - Saturday, 26 September: F2 Feature Race 2 at 7:55 am, Grand Prix start at 10:30 am, followed by post‑race analysis and reaction segments. - Sunday: Final race coverage and highlights.
All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming available via NOW for viewers who prefer an online platform. Hadjar’s return is not only significant for Red Bull’s championship aspirations but also for the driver’s personal development. The wrist injury, while not career‑threatening, required careful physiotherapy and a gradual re‑introduction to the high‑G forces experienced in a Formula 1 car.
Hadjar’s medical team monitored his progress closely, ensuring that his grip strength, flexibility, and pain levels met the stringent standards required for competition. By the time of his scheduled return, he had completed a series of simulated runs and on‑track tests that confirmed his readiness.
The Frenchman’s comeback will be closely watched by pundits and fans alike. Analysts will be interested to see whether he can quickly regain the pace he demonstrated before his injury, especially given the tight margins that often decide qualifying positions on the street circuit of Baku.
Moreover, his performance could influence Red Bull’s strategy for the remaining races of the season, as the team seeks to maximize points from both drivers to support Verstappen’s title bid while nurturing Hadjar’s growth as a future contender. In addition to the on‑track action, the weekend will feature a range of off‑track content, including driver interviews, technical briefings, and fan engagement activities. The team’s media department has promised exclusive behind‑the‑scenes footage of Hadjar’s rehabilitation journey, offering supporters insight into the resilience and determination required to overcome injury at the pinnacle of motorsport.
Overall, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises to be a pivotal moment for Isack Hadjar. After a period of forced inactivity, he now has the opportunity to demonstrate that his recovery was not only complete but that he can continue to develop as a key component of Red Bull’s driver lineup. With the support of his team, the experience gained from his substitute driver, and the enthusiasm of a global audience, Hadjar’s return could well be the catalyst for a strong second half of the season for both him and the Red Bull Racing squad.