Red Bull Racing has officially announced 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 rookie year with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the last three rounds because of a wrist injury sustained during a summer training session.
Now fully recovered, Hadjar returned to competition at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held on Saturday and broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The confirmation of Hadjar's future comes on the heels of a separate deal confirmed last month, in which four‑time world champion Max Verstappen signed a new contract that keeps him at Red Bull until at least the close of 2030.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar's progress, saying, "We are thrilled to keep Isack with us. Since he arrived at the start of the year he has been outstanding both on‑track and off‑track, especially given this is only his second season in F1. Extending his contract was therefore an easy decision." Mekies added that Hadjar quickly immersed himself in the team environment, spending countless hours in the Milton Keynes factory working side‑by‑side with his engineers to develop the car. "From his debut weekend in Melbourne you could see his composure and his ability to step up to the demands of a top‑tier car," Mekies noted.
The second seat at Red Bull is widely regarded as the most demanding on the grid. Former teammates such as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have all struggled to match Verstappen's pace, and the role has a reputation for being a career‑making or career‑breaking position.
Hadjar, however, has shown himself to be a genuine challenger, even edging Verstappen on a few occasions this season, which has helped him avoid the usual scrutiny that accompanies the role. Despite his three‑race 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 a penalty that had originally stripped Pierre Gasly of his result.
Mekies highlighted the difficulty of the period following Hadjar's injury, stating, "The weeks after his wrist problem were tough, but this contract extension shows how much confidence we have in his talent. We are eager to see him back at full speed." He also emphasized the unity within the team, adding that everyone—from drivers to engineers to the factory staff—shares a common goal for the remainder of the season. Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained the circumstances of Hadjar's injury, noting that the Frenchman hurt his arm and wrist while hitting a heavy bag during a boxing workout, a routine part of his fitness regimen.
"He has recovered and will be back on the grid this weekend," Slater said. "Liam Lawson performed admirably as a stand‑in, but there was never any doubt that Hadjar would retain his seat.
He has been Verstappen's most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo's departure." Hadjar expressed his enthusiasm for staying with Oracle Red Bull Racing, saying, "Joining the team eight months ago, I immediately 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 have dedicated myself to the team, and thanks to 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." During the drivers' press conference in Baku, Hadjar admitted he was completely relaxed about the renewal talks and was unaware of the contract length.
"I let my people handle the negotiations," he said. "I focus on the racing and let the results speak for themselves. If you perform well, you stay; that's all that matters." He also spoke candidly about his wrist injury, describing it as a small fracture just outside the wrist that required no surgery but a lengthy natural healing process. "It will still be painful for a while, but after about six weeks the bone is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing," Hadjar explained.
He added that simulator work had gone well, noting that the virtual environment closely mirrors the physical cockpit, and that he felt confident about returning to full competition. The injury occurred during a routine boxing session, a component of his conditioning program.
Red Bull imposed no new restrictions on his training, but Hadjar said he will be more cautious in the future, joking that he might strap his wrist next time. "I'm not a child; I just need to think twice before throwing a punch," he laughed. Across the sport, the top four teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull—have all locked in their driver line‑ups for 2027, leaving Alpine, Williams and Cadillac also secured, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg.
The remaining seats at Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin are still undecided. Notably, Fernando Alonso remains a wildcard; his potential retirement could open a coveted seat at Aston Martin. Alonso has hinted that a decision will not come soon, expressing dissatisfaction with the current regulations and prompting FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to comment on accelerating the development of Aston Martin's new Honda power unit. In other news, Britain's Oliver Bearman is expected to stay at Haas, but his teammate Esteban Ocon may be displaced as Haas is rumored to promote Ferrari junior Rafael Camara to his F1 debut in 2027 after a strong Formula 2 campaign.
Red Bull's junior program continues to produce talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the F2 championship and the team historically quick to promote promising drivers. However, Red Bull faces a difficult choice, as both Racing Bulls drivers Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson have performed admirably this year, making any decision to drop one of them a delicate matter. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend schedule is packed with action: Thursday sees F2 practice and qualifying sessions, followed by a team bosses' press conference. Friday features the F2 sprint, the first F2 feature race, and the F1 qualifying build‑up leading into the main qualifying session.
Saturday includes the second F2 feature race and the Grand Prix itself, with the race slated for midday. Sunday will host post‑race analysis and reactions. All events will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, with the option to watch via NOW without a long‑term contract. Overall, the confirmation of Hadjar's contract underscores Red Bull's confidence in nurturing young talent and maintaining a stable driver pairing alongside Verstappen.
The Frenchman's resilience after injury, his rapid adaptation to the team's culture, and his competitive performances suggest he could become a key figure in Red Bull's quest for further championships in the coming years.