Isack Hadjar, the young French driver who shares the Red Bull garage with five‑time champion Max Verstappen, is slated to make his return to Formula One competition at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a three‑race hiatus caused by a wrist injury. The 21‑year‑old suffered the setback while completing a fitness routine during the summer break in August, which forced him to miss the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds of the 2026 season. His recovery has progressed well, and the team confirmed that he will be back behind the wheel for the Thursday practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit, a weekend that has been shifted a day earlier to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day.
In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Oracle Red Bull Racing expressed its enthusiasm: "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 announcement underscored the confidence the outfit has in Hadjar’s fitness and his ability to contribute to the team’s ongoing campaign.
During 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 praised Lawson’s professionalism, noting that he delivered "impressive performances" under challenging circumstances and added significant value to the team’s points tally. The organization also extended gratitude to Tsunoda for his dedication, acknowledging that his contributions helped the team secure valuable points over the three races he covered. Hadjar’s first season with Red Bull has been promising.
He secured a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix, demonstrating his speed and composure on a street circuit that rewards precision. Up to the point of his injury, he was sitting eighth in the Drivers' Championship.
However, the gap to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri widened from 23 points to 49 points while he was sidelined, and his deficit to team‑mate Verstappen expanded from 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix to 74 points following his three‑race absence. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the opening race of a three‑weekend swing that will continue with events in Malaysia and Singapore.
The schedule for the Baku weekend is packed: a drivers' press conference on Wednesday morning, followed by a series of practice sessions, qualifying, and the main race on Saturday. The practice timetable includes two sessions on Thursday, a third on Friday, and the qualifying session on Friday afternoon, with the race slated for midday on Saturday. In addition to the Formula One action, the weekend will feature Formula 2 practice, qualifying, and two feature races, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event.
Red Bull’s strategic handling of the driver lineup during Hadjar’s recovery highlights the team’s depth. By rotating Lawson and Tsunoda, the organization ensured continuity and maintained competitive performance levels despite the unexpected setback. Lawson’s stint in the senior car offered him valuable experience at the front of the grid, while Tsunoda’s return to his reserve duties prepares him for any future call‑ups. Looking ahead, Hadjar’s return is not merely about filling a seat; it represents an opportunity for him to regain momentum in the championship battle.
With the season now entering its latter half, every point becomes crucial, especially as the title fight tightens among the front‑running teams. Hadjar’s ability to extract performance from the Red Bull RB‑19, manage tire degradation on Baku’s abrasive surface, and navigate the circuit’s high‑speed straights and tight corners will be closely watched by analysts and fans alike. The team’s confidence in his full recovery suggests that the wrist injury, while serious enough to miss three races, has not caused any lasting impairment.
Modern sports medicine, combined with Red Bull’s dedicated medical staff, has enabled Hadjar to rehabilitate effectively, allowing him to resume the physically demanding role of an F1 driver. His return also serves as a morale boost for the squad, reaffirming the depth of talent within the Red Bull program. In summary, Isack Hadjar is set to rejoin the Red Bull lineup at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a successful rehabilitation from a wrist injury sustained during summer training.
The team has expressed enthusiasm about his comeback, while also acknowledging the contributions of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, who stepped in during his absence. Hadjar’s return comes at a pivotal moment in the 2026 season, as the championship race intensifies and the next three races in Baku, Malaysia, and Singapore promise to shape the final standings. Fans can look forward to seeing the French driver back in the cockpit, aiming to close the points gap to his rivals and support Red Bull’s push for the Constructors' title.