Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside four‑time champion Max Verstappen for the 2027 Formula One season. The French driver, who joined the team at the beginning of the current year after a standout rookie year with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the last three rounds of the championship because of a wrist injury sustained during a summer training session. He is now declared medically fit and will return to competition at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, an event broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
The announcement comes on the heels of Red Bull's earlier confirmation that Verstappen has extended his contract to remain with the squad until at least the close of 2030. Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar, saying, "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Isack.
Since his arrival at the start of the year, he has impressed both on‑track and off‑track, especially given that this is only his second season in Formula 1. Extending his deal was therefore a straightforward decision." Mekies added that Hadjar immersed himself in the team's technical environment from day one, spending countless hours in the Milton Keynes factory working closely with his engineers to fine‑tune the car.
"His eagerness to learn and his composure during his debut weekend in Melbourne showed that he belonged in this seat," Mekies noted. The second seat at Red Bull has long been considered the most demanding on the grid.
Former teammates such as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda all found it difficult to match Verstappen’s pace. Hadjar, however, has consistently been closer to the Dutch driver than many of his predecessors and has even out‑performed him on a few occasions this season, keeping his position firmly secure.
Despite missing three races, Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers' Championship and reclaimed a podium finish at Monaco after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed a penalty that had originally stripped Pierre Gasly of his result. Mekies emphasized that the period following Hadjar’s injury was challenging, but the contract extension underscores the team’s belief in his potential. "We have many goals for the remainder of the season, and it is reassuring to know that our drivers, engineers and factory staff are all aligned and committed to the same objectives," he said.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained, "Hadjar’s absence was due to a wrist and forearm injury sustained while hitting a heavy bag during his boxing training. He has recovered and will be back on the grid this weekend.
Liam Lawson filled in admirably, but there was never any doubt that Hadjar would retain his seat. He has arguably been Verstappen’s most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure." Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about staying with Oracle Red Bull Racing, stating, "Joining the team eight months ago, I instantly grasped the scale and ambition of the operation. The talent pool here is extraordinary, and driving alongside a four‑time world champion is a privilege.
From the moment I signed, I committed myself to the team, and with the support of Laurent and everyone in Milton Keynes, I have been able to justify the faith placed in me. I am constantly listening, learning and pushing my limits every day." During the drivers' press conference in Baku, Hadjar admitted he was completely relaxed about the contract talks, even saying he was unaware of the exact length of the new deal. "I let my management handle the negotiations.
I focus on what I do on the track, and that’s it. It was very easy," he remarked when asked if the contract spanned multiple years. "I don’t really know the specifics, but if you perform well, you stay." He also gave details about his wrist injury, describing it as a small fracture outside the joint that required a lengthy, non‑surgical rehabilitation.
"The healing process is still ongoing and will be painful for a while, but after about six weeks the wrist is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing. I tested the car in the simulator and it felt comparable to the real cockpit, so I am confident that I will be fine on track," Hadjar explained.
He added that the training sessions had been dull because he could not use his left arm much. The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, a discipline Hadjar incorporates into his fitness regime. Red Bull placed no new restrictions on his training, but he acknowledged he will be more cautious in the future: "Next time I’ll be more careful, maybe strap the wrist. I’m not a child; I just need to think twice before throwing a punch." With Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren all confirming their driver line‑ups for 2027, the remaining teams are still in flux.
Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have already secured their 2027 drivers, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg. The open seats belong to Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin.
Aston Martin’s future is tied to Fernando Alonso, who is weighing his options. If he decides to retire, a coveted seat will open up. Alonso has hinted that a decision will not be made soon, citing dissatisfaction with the current regulations and expressing concerns about Honda’s engine supply to Aston Martin, a topic that FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has also addressed.
In the meantime, Britain’s Oliver Bearman is expected to stay at Haas, though his teammate Esteban Ocon may lose his drive if the team opts to promote Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, who impressed during his Formula 2 campaign. The current F2 leader, Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov, is also on Red Bull’s radar, as the team traditionally promotes promising youngsters quickly. However, Red Bull faces a delicate decision because both Racing Bulls drivers, Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, are delivering strong performances this season, making any potential reshuffle a tough call. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend will feature a packed schedule: Friday will host F2 practice, sprint and feature races, followed by the F1 qualifying session; Saturday will see the F2 Feature Race 2 and the Grand Prix itself, with live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event.
Sunday will bring post‑race analysis and reactions. Fans are encouraged to watch via the Chrome browser for the best video player experience. Overall, Hadjar’s contract extension reflects Red Bull’s confidence in his talent and his ability to grow alongside Verstappen.
The Frenchman’s blend of technical insight, calm under pressure and willingness to learn positions him as a key figure in Red Bull’s quest for continued dominance in the sport. The 2027 season promises to be another chapter in the evolving story of one of Formula One’s most formidable line‑ups.