Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekhiés reiterated that the priority remains Isack Hadjar's complete recuperation rather than hurrying his comeback, with a series of assessments scheduled before a decision is made about his participation in next weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Hadjar has been sidelined for the past three events after suffering a wrist injury during a routine training session that took place as the championship emerged from its summer hiatus. In his absence, Racing Bulls' driver Liam Lawson has stepped into the seat. Mekhiés spoke after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, emphasizing that Hadjar's healing process is proceeding as expected.
He added that a simulator run has been arranged to gauge the Frenchman's readiness for a potential return at the Baku street circuit. "There is nothing wrong with Isack's recovery.
We have learned that this type of injury follows a fairly normal timeline," Mekhiés explained. "Therefore, we will maintain our current approach and continue to monitor the situation closely." He outlined a clear timetable: "We have just over a week to evaluate how he feels, to put him through the simulator and expose him to realistic constraints. If he feels close to 100 percent, we will give him the green light.
If not, we will stick to our principle of putting his health first. We do not want an early return to jeopardise his long‑term ability to perform at full capacity." The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held on the demanding Baku street circuit, will start a day earlier than usual, with practice sessions slated for the coming Wednesday and the race on Saturday.
This event marks the opening round of a three‑race swing that will continue with races in Malaysia and Singapore over the following two weekends. In the meantime, Lawson has been promoted from sister team Racing Bulls to fill Hadjar's vacancy.
The New Zealander previously enjoyed a brief, albeit troubled, two‑race spell with the senior Red Bull squad at the start of last season. 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 Grand Prix, where he finished sixth.
"He has done a very good job," Mekhiés praised. "We all know how challenging it is to jump into a different team and a different car, and he has met, if not exceeded, our expectations. He collected valuable points in Madrid with a P6 finish, repeated the feat in Zandvoort, and would likely have done the same in Monza if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg that caused damage." Mekhiés continued, "The picture is very different compared to the early races of 2025 when he first joined the team, and we are grateful for his contributions." Over the past year, Lawson has rebuilt his form and confidence at Racing Bulls, enjoying a consistent points‑scoring run before his unexpected call‑up to the senior Red Bull team. "He continues to develop as a driver," Mekhiés noted, having worked with Lawson across both Red Bull outfits.
"He remains calm in the car, focused, and he keeps things simple in his communication with the team and his approach to extracting performance from the car." "He concentrates on the fundamentals, gets the basics right, and that strategy is paying off. With more seat time, he can add another layer of finesse, but his current strength is already impressive," Mekhiés added. As the F1 calendar moves forward, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will kick off the triple‑header from September 24‑26, with the Baku race taking place on a Saturday. Fans can follow the live action on Sky Sports F1 or stream via NOW, with flexible subscription options that allow cancellation at any time.
In summary, Red Bull is taking a measured, patient approach to Hadjar's rehabilitation, using both physical assessments and simulator work to determine his readiness. Meanwhile, Lawson's commendable performances have provided a reliable interim solution, ensuring the team remains competitive while they await a definitive decision on Hadjar's return.