Red Bull’s young French driver Isack Hadjar is slated to rejoin the grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ending a three‑race absence caused by a wrist problem. The 21‑year‑old, who has shown promise as Max Verstappen’s teammate during his debut season, injured his wrist while undertaking a fitness routine during the summer break in August. The setback forced him to miss the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds, but medical staff have now cleared him for a full return.
Hadjar’s first appearance back in a Red Bull car will be during the Thursday practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit. The weekend’s timetable has been shifted a day earlier this year to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day, meaning the practice, qualifying and race will all occur a day sooner than usual. In a statement released on Tuesday, Oracle Red Bull Racing expressed enthusiasm about the young driver’s recovery: "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 Racing Bulls squad to fill his seat at Red Bull, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into the junior team’s car.
Red Bull praised Lawson’s professionalism and dedication, noting that he performed admirably under challenging circumstances and contributed valuable points. The team also thanked Tsunoda for his efforts, acknowledging that his stint helped keep the junior squad competitive. Hadjar’s early season had been solid. He secured a podium finish in Monaco, demonstrating his ability to extract performance from the Red Bull chassis.
Before his injury, he sat eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 23 points. That gap widened to 49 points while he was sidelined, and his deficit to championship leader Max Verstappen grew from 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix to 74 points at the time of his return. The Azerbaijan event marks the opening race of a three‑weekend swing that will continue in Malaysia and Singapore.
The schedule is packed: - Wednesday, 23 September: Drivers’ press conference at 11:00, followed by the Paddock Uncut at 14:00. - Thursday, 24 September: F2 practice at 06:55, GP practice one at 09:30, F2 qualifying at 10:55, Team Bosses’ press conference at 12:00, GP practice two at 12:30, and The F1 Show at 14:15. - Friday, 25 September: F2 sprint at 05:10, GP practice three at 09:30, F2 feature race 1 at 11:10, qualifying build‑up at 12:30, Azerbaijan GP qualifying at 13:00, and Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 15:00.
- Saturday, 26 September: F2 feature race 2 at 07:55, Grand Prix start at 10:30, followed by post‑race analysis. - Sunday: Full race coverage, chequered flag ceremony and reaction segments. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and streamed via NOW with a flexible, no‑contract subscription. Beyond the logistical details, Hadjar’s return is significant for Red Bull’s championship strategy.
The team relies on a strong second driver to maximize constructor points, and Hadjar’s ability to challenge the midfield and occasionally contest the front runners adds depth to their lineup. His recovery also underscores the importance of driver fitness programs; the wrist injury, sustained during a routine gym session, highlights how even off‑track activities can impact a season. In the broader context of the 2026 season, the final decisions on the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix are expected by mid‑October, as the calendar approaches its concluding phases.
Teams are already calibrating their development pathways, and a fully fit Hadjar will be crucial for Red Bull as they aim to maintain pressure on Verstappen while also nurturing the next generation of talent. Fans can look forward to seeing Hadjar back in the cockpit, testing the limits of the Red Bull RB19 on Baku’s street layout, which combines long straights with tight, technical sections. The Baku City Circuit has historically produced dramatic races, with multiple overtaking opportunities and a high probability of safety‑car interventions, offering a perfect stage for a driver eager to make an impact after a layoff. Overall, the combination of a recovered driver, a reshuffled weekend schedule, and a packed triple‑header across Asia makes the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix a pivotal moment in the 2026 Formula 1 campaign.
Hadjar’s comeback will not only be a personal milestone but also a key factor in Red Bull’s pursuit of both driver and constructor titles as the season progresses.