Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekhié reiterated that the French driver Isack Hadjar’s rehabilitation will remain the top priority, and the squad will not rush him back to competition. The organisation plans to assess his condition in the coming days before deciding whether he will take part in the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Hadjar has been absent from the grid for the past three events after suffering a wrist injury during a routine training session that took place just before the sport resumed after its summer hiatus.
In his stead, Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson has stepped into the seat, providing the team with a capable substitute while Hadjar continues his recovery. Speaking after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, Mekhié explained that the driver’s recuperation is proceeding according to the schedule they had set. He added that a simulator run has been arranged for Hadjar to gauge his readiness for a possible return at the street circuit in Baku.
"There is nothing wrong with Isack's recovery. It appears to be a normal timeline for the type of injury he has sustained," Mekhié said.
"We will maintain the same approach we have been using and evaluate the situation in a week’s time." He emphasized that the team now has a little more than a full week to monitor how the Frenchman feels, to put him through a realistic simulator session and to see how his wrist responds to the demands of a Formula One car. "If he feels close to 100 percent, we will give him the green light. If he senses that his healing is not yet complete, we will stick to our policy of putting his health first," Mekhié explained. The Red Bull leadership is keen to avoid a premature comeback that could jeopardise Hadjar’s long‑term performance.
"We do not want an early return to compromise his ability to reach full fitness later in the season," Mekhié warned. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which takes place on a temporary street circuit around the historic centre of Baku, will start a day earlier than usual, with practice scheduled for the coming Wednesday and the race on Saturday. This event kicks off a three‑week triple‑header that will continue with races in Malaysia and Singapore over the following two weekends. In Hadjar’s absence, Lawson has been promoted from the sister team Racing Bulls to fill the vacant Red Bull seat.
The New Zealander previously enjoyed a brief, albeit turbulent, two‑race stint with the senior team at the start of the 2024 season. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda continues to race for Racing Bulls. Lawson has already delivered solid performances, qualifying eighth on two occasions and scoring points at both Zandvoort and the Madrid street circuit, where he finished sixth. "I think he’s done a very good job," Mekhié praised.
"We all know how challenging it is to jump into a different team and a different car, and he has exceeded our expectations. He secured valuable points in Madrid with a P6 finish, repeated a similar result in Zandvoort, and would have likely done the same in Monza if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg and the resulting damage." The team principal highlighted the contrast between Lawson’s current form and his early‑season outings in 2025, noting how pleased they are with his progress. "He has rebuilt his confidence at Racing Bulls over the past year and was already enjoying a consistent points‑scoring run before this unexpected senior‑team call‑up," Mekhié added. "He continues to develop as a driver," Mekhié continued, recalling his work with Lawson across both Red Bull outfits.
"He stays calm in the car and remains focused. He keeps things simple in his communication with the team and in how he approaches the car’s performance." According to Mekhié, Lawson’s methodical approach—concentrating on the fundamentals and getting the basics right—has been paying dividends.
"With more time in the car, he can add another layer of finesse, but his current strength lies in his consistency and his ability to stay on the essentials," the team boss said. As the F1 calendar moves into its final stretch, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, marking the start of a three‑race sprint that runs from 24 to 26 September.
Fans can stream the action via NOW, with flexible contracts and the option to cancel at any time. In summary, Red Bull remains confident that Hadjar’s recovery is on track and will make a decision based on thorough evaluation and a simulator test. Until then, Lawson will continue to represent the team in Baku, aiming to collect points and maintain the momentum he has built over the season.