Isack Hadjar, the young French driver who shares Red Bull's top‑tier car with five‑time champion Max Verstappen, is slated to make his comeback at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku after a three‑race absence caused by a wrist injury. The 21‑year‑old, who has shown promise throughout his debut season, suffered the setback while undertaking a fitness routine during the summer break in August. The injury forced him to miss the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds, leaving the team to reshuffle its line‑up for those events.
Hadjar's return will be confirmed during the Thursday practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit. The race weekend has been shifted a day earlier than usual to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan's Remembrance Day, meaning the driver will have a slightly compressed schedule to get back up to speed.
Red Bull issued a statement on Tuesday morning expressing enthusiasm about the Frenchman'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." The team praised his swift rehabilitation and emphasized that he is medically cleared to compete.
In Hadjar's absence, Liam Lawson was elevated from the Racing Bulls squad to fill the vacant Red Bull seat, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into Lawson's former role at the junior team. Red Bull publicly thanked Lawson for his professionalism and hard work over the three races, noting that he performed admirably under challenging circumstances and contributed valuable points to the team's tally.
The organization also extended gratitude to Tsunoda, highlighting his dedication and the points he secured while acting as a stand‑in. Hadjar's first season with Red Bull has already featured a number of highlights, most notably a podium finish at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix. Prior to his injury, he was positioned eighth in the Drivers' Championship, trailing McLaren's Oscar Piastri by 23 points.
That gap widened to 49 points during his time on the sidelines, and his deficit to Verstappen grew from 38 points after the Hungarian round to 74 points now that he has missed three races. Despite the setback, the team remains confident that his return will help close the gap and keep Red Bull competitive in the title fight. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the opening of a three‑race sprint in Asia, with subsequent events scheduled in Malaysia and Singapore over the next two weekends. The Baku circuit, known for its blend of high‑speed straights and tight, technical sections, offers a unique challenge that will test Hadjar's car control and racecraft after a period away from the wheel.
The weekend itinerary includes a full slate of activities: a drivers' press conference on Wednesday morning, two practice sessions on Thursday, a third practice and qualifying on Friday, and the main race on Saturday. Additional support events such as Formula 2 practice, qualifying and sprint races are also on the schedule, providing fans with a packed motorsport weekend.
Red Bull's strategic approach to the season remains focused on maximizing points across all three races in the Asian swing. By rotating reserve drivers like Lawson and Tsunoda, the team ensures that each seat is occupied by a driver capable of delivering strong performances, while also giving emerging talent valuable experience in a top‑level car. This flexibility has become a hallmark of Red Bull's driver development program, allowing the organization to maintain competitiveness even when faced with unforeseen circumstances such as injuries. Looking ahead, Hadjar's return will be closely monitored by both the team and the broader Formula 1 community.
Analysts will assess his pace in the practice sessions, his ability to adapt to the Baku track after a layoff, and how quickly he can regain the rhythm lost during his recovery. A strong showing could not only boost his standing in the championship but also reinforce Red Bull's confidence in their driver lineup as they pursue both the Constructors' and Drivers' titles. Fans can follow the action live via Sky Sports F1, which will broadcast the practice, qualifying and race sessions, as well as provide streaming options through NOW.
The network has emphasized that the coverage will be accessible without a long‑term contract, allowing viewers to cancel at any time. As the weekend approaches, the excitement builds around Hadjar's comeback, the performance of the substitute drivers, and the broader implications for the championship battle as the 2026 season enters its critical middle phase.