Red Bull Racing has officially announced that Isack Hadjar will continue as Max Verstappen's teammate for the 2027 Formula 1 campaign. The French driver, who joined the team at the beginning of the current season after a standout rookie year with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the final three rounds due to a wrist injury sustained during a summer training session. Now fully recovered, Hadjar returned to the grid for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix held in Baku, an event broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The confirmation comes on the heels of a separate announcement made last month confirming that four‑time world champion Max Verstappen has extended his contract with Red Bull until at least the close of the 2030 season.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s rapid integration into the outfit, saying, "From day one Isack threw himself into the work at the factory, spending countless hours with his engineers to fine‑tune the car. His professionalism both on‑track and off‑track made the decision to extend his deal an easy one." Mekies also highlighted Hadjar’s composure during his debut weekend in Melbourne, noting that the young driver handled the step up to a top‑tier car with “remarkable poise.” That early impression has been reinforced throughout the season, as Hadjar has often been the most competitive Red Bull teammate since the departure of Daniel Ricciardo, even out‑pacing seasoned drivers such as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda on several occasions. Despite the setback caused by his wrist fracture, Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers' Championship and reclaimed a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed a penalty imposed on Gasly.
Mekies added that the injury period was “a difficult time for Isack,” but the new contract demonstrates the team’s confidence in his long‑term potential. "We have a lot to achieve this season, and it’s reassuring to know that our drivers, engineers and factory staff are all aligned and moving in the same direction," he said. Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained that Hadjar’s injury resulted from a heavy‑bag boxing drill, a part of his conditioning routine.
"He’s recovered well and will be back alongside Verstappen in 2027. Liam Lawson performed admirably as a stand‑in, but there was never any doubt that Hadjar would retain his seat," Slater noted.
Slater also remarked that Hadjar has become Verstappen’s toughest teammate in recent years, pushing the Dutchman in both qualifying and race trim. Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about remaining with Oracle Red Bull Racing. "When I arrived eight months ago I immediately grasped the scale and ambition of this organisation.
The talent pool here is extraordinary, and driving alongside a four‑time champion is a privilege," he said. "Since signing, I’ve committed myself to learning from the team, listening to the engineers, and constantly improving.
The support from Laurent and the whole Milton Keynes crew has allowed me to justify the faith they placed in me." During the post‑race press conference in Baku, Hadjar downplayed the contract talks, admitting he let his management handle the negotiations. "I focus on the track, not the paperwork," he said with a smile. When asked about the length of the new deal, he replied, "I don’t really know. If you perform well, you stay – that’s all that matters." He also gave an update on his wrist recovery, describing a small fracture outside the joint that required no surgery but demanded a cautious rehabilitation process.
"It’s been a slow, painful journey, but after six weeks the bone is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing. The simulator sessions have gone well, and the car feels almost identical to the real cockpit, so I’m confident I’ll be fine on track," Hadjar explained.
He admitted that training with his left arm has been limited, making the rehab period somewhat monotonous. The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, a discipline Hadjar uses to stay fit. Red Bull has not imposed any new restrictions on his training regimen, though the driver acknowledged he will be more careful in the future.
"Next time I’ll think twice, maybe strap the wrist, but there are no bans – I’m not a child," he said. With Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren all confirming their driver line‑ups through 2027, the remaining teams are still shaping their rosters. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have secured their 2027 drivers, while Audi plans to retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg. The only open seats belong to Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin.
Aston Martin’s future is linked to Fernando Alonso’s decision. The two‑time champion is weighing his options and has hinted that a retirement could free up a seat for a new driver. Meanwhile, Haas is expected to keep British youngster Oliver Bearman, but may replace Esteban Ocon with Ferrari junior Rafael Camara for 2027 after his impressive Formula 2 performances.
Red Bull’s junior programme continues to produce talent. Nikola Tsolov leads the current F2 championship and is widely tipped for an F1 debut, while the team must decide whether to promote one of its current Racing Bulls drivers, Arvid Lindblad or Liam Lawson, both of whom have delivered strong results this season.
The weekend schedule for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is packed with action: F2 practice and qualifying sessions start early on Thursday, followed by the F1 practice runs, qualifying and the race itself on Saturday and Sunday. All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming available via NOW for viewers without a traditional contract. Overall, Hadjar’s contract extension underscores Red Bull’s commitment to nurturing young talent and maintaining a stable, competitive driver lineup.
His resilience after injury, rapid adaptation to the team’s high‑performance culture, and ability to challenge Verstappen on a regular basis suggest that the partnership will continue to deliver excitement for fans and results for the team in the years ahead.