Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will continue as Max Verstappen's teammate for the 2027 Formula One campaign. The French driver, who joined the team at the beginning of the current season after a standout debut 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 is set to return to the grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, an event that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The announcement comes on the heels of Red Bull's earlier confirmation that four‑time world champion Max Verstappen has extended his contract with the team until at least the end of 2030.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar, saying, "We are thrilled to keep Isack with us. 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 develop the car. "His composure in Melbourne showed he could handle the step up to a top‑tier car with remarkable maturity, earning his place in the seat," Mekies noted.
The second seat at Red Bull has long been regarded as the most demanding on the grid. Former teammates such as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have all found it difficult to match Verstappen's pace.
Hadjar, however, has already demonstrated that he can compete closely with the Dutch driver, even edging him out on a few occasions this season. This performance has insulated his position from the usual scrutiny that accompanies the role.
Despite his injury‑forced absence, Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers' Championship and reclaimed a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed the reversal of Pierre Gasly's speeding penalties. Mekies highlighted the challenges Hadjar faced during his recovery, stating, "The period after his injury was tough, but this contract extension reflects our confidence in his abilities and our excitement to see him back on track.
We have ambitious goals for the remainder of the season, and it is reassuring to know that drivers, engineers and the entire factory are aligned and motivated." Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained the circumstances of Hadjar's injury, noting that the driver suffered a wrist and arm injury while hitting a heavy punching bag during his boxing‑based fitness routine. Slater added, "He has fully recovered and will be back alongside Verstappen for 2027.
In his absence, Liam Lawson performed admirably, but there was never any real doubt that Hadjar would retain the seat. He has arguably been Verstappen's toughest teammate since Daniel Ricciardo's departure." Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about continuing with Oracle Red Bull Racing: "Joining the team eight months ago, I instantly grasped the scale and ambition of the operation. The talent pool at the factory is extraordinary, and driving alongside a four‑time champion like Max is a privilege.
From day one I committed myself to the project, and with the support of Laurent and everyone in Milton Keynes, I have been able to justify the faith placed in me. Every day I aim to listen, learn and push my limits further." When questioned at the Drivers' Press Conference in Baku about the contract talks, Hadjar admitted he was largely hands‑off, allowing his management team to handle negotiations.
"I focus on the track; the rest is taken care of," he said, adding that he was unaware of the exact length of the new deal. "If you perform well, you stay – it's that simple." Regarding his wrist injury, Hadjar explained that he suffered a small fracture just outside the wrist, which required a lengthy, non‑surgical healing process. "It’s still painful, but after about six weeks the bone is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing," he noted.
He also mentioned that his simulator tests had gone well, providing confidence that the car would feel familiar once back in the cockpit. The driver described the rehabilitation period as monotonous, given the limited use of his left arm, but remained optimistic about his return. The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, a component of his fitness regimen. Red Bull has not imposed any new restrictions on his training, though Hadjar said he will be more cautious in the future, possibly using additional support when engaging in high‑impact exercises.
Looking beyond Red Bull, the top four teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull—have all secured their driver line‑ups through 2027. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have also confirmed contracts for the upcoming season, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg. The remaining teams—Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin—still have open seats. Notably, Fernando Alonso's future remains uncertain; his decision to retire or continue will significantly impact Aston Martin's driver market.
Alonso has hinted that a decision is not imminent, citing dissatisfaction with current regulations and ongoing discussions about Honda's engine supply to Aston Martin. In the midfield, Britain's Oliver Bearman is expected to stay at Haas, but his teammate Esteban Ocon may lose his seat as Haas is rumored to promote Ferrari junior Rafael Camara for 2027 after his strong Formula 2 performances.
Red Bull's junior program continues to produce talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the F2 championship and the team likely to promote another youngster when the opportunity arises. However, Red Bull faces a delicate situation with both Racing Bulls drivers, Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, delivering solid results this year; dropping either would be a tough call. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is packed with action. On Thursday, September 24, F2 practice begins at 9 am, followed by qualifying and the team bosses' press conference.
Friday sees the F2 sprint, the third practice session for the Grand Prix, and the F2 feature race, leading into the build‑up for the F1 qualifying session at 1 pm. Saturday's schedule includes the second F2 feature race, the Grand Prix itself at midday, and post‑race analysis.
Sunday concludes with the Grand Prix reaction and additional commentary. All sessions will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, with Sky Sports F1 providing comprehensive coverage throughout the weekend.
Overall, Hadjar's contract extension underscores Red Bull's confidence in his potential and the stability of their driver lineup heading into the latter half of the decade. His recovery from injury, combined with his demonstrated pace and professionalism, positions him as a key figure in Red Bull's pursuit of further championships, while the broader F1 landscape continues to evolve with driver movements and contract negotiations shaping the sport's future.