Isack Hadjar, the young French driver who shares the Red Bull garage with Max Verstappen, is poised to get back behind the wheel at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a three‑race absence caused by a wrist problem. The injury, which occurred during a routine fitness session in the summer break of August, forced him to miss the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds, disrupting what had been a promising rookie campaign. Hadjar, only 21, has shown solid form in his debut season, even securing a podium finish in Monaco and consistently scoring points for the team. His recovery progressed well, and the team confirmed on Tuesday that he has fully healed and will be ready to take part in the two practice sessions scheduled for Thursday in Baku.
The race weekend itself has been shifted a day earlier to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day, meaning the practice, qualifying and race will all occur on a tighter timetable than usual. In a statement released by Oracle Red Bull Racing, the outfit expressed enthusiasm about the Frenchman's return: "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 also thanked the drivers who stepped in during Hadjar's absence. Liam Lawson, promoted from the Red Bull junior team Racing Bulls, filled Hadjar's seat for the three missed events, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda took over Lawson's role at the junior squad. Red Bull praised Lawson's performance under "challenging circumstances," noting that he delivered "impressive performances and made a valuable contribution to the team." The team wished Lawson well as he returns to the Racing Bulls line‑up. Similarly, the junior team acknowledged Tsunoda's effort, stating that his work over the past three races was "very valuable" and that he would resume his reserve duties for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls.
Hadjar's points tally before his injury placed him eighth in the Drivers' Championship, but the gap to McLaren's Oscar Piastri widened from 23 to 49 points during his time away. He was also 38 points behind Verstappen after the Hungarian Grand Prix, the final event before the summer hiatus, and now finds himself 74 points adrift of the Dutch champion. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the opening round of a three‑race swing that will continue with events in Malaysia and Singapore over the following two weekends. The schedule for the Baku weekend is packed: - Wednesday 23 September: Drivers' press conference at 11:00 am.
- Thursday 24 September: F2 practice at 6:55 am, Azerbaijan GP Practice 1 at 9:30 am, F2 qualifying at 10:55 am, Team bosses' press conference at 12:00 pm, Practice 2 at 1:00 pm, and The F1 Show at 2:15 pm. - Friday 25 September: F2 sprint at 5:10 am, GP Practice 3 at 9:30 am, F2 Feature Race 1 at 11:10 am, Qualifying build‑up at 12:30 pm, Azerbaijan GP Qualifying at 1:00 pm, followed by Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm.
- Saturday 26 September: F2 Feature Race 2 at 7:55 am, Grand Prix start at 10:30 am, race action throughout the day, and post‑race analysis. - Sunday 27 September: Final race coverage, chequered flag reaction at 2:00 pm, and additional commentary. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with additional streaming available via NOW for Sky Sports F1 subscribers. Hadjar's return is not only a personal milestone but also a strategic boost for Red Bull as they aim to consolidate their lead in both the Constructors' and Drivers' standings.
Verstappen, who currently enjoys a comfortable points cushion, will benefit from having a fully fit teammate who can challenge for podiums and provide valuable data during practice and qualifying. Moreover, the Frenchman's experience of the Baku street circuit—though limited—will be enhanced by the extra track time, allowing him to fine‑tune his setup before the race. The team’s confidence in Hadjar’s fitness was underscored by the fact that his wrist injury, sustained during off‑track conditioning, healed without surgical intervention. Medical staff monitored his progress closely, employing physiotherapy, strength training and gradual return‑to‑driving protocols.
By early September, Hadjar was cleared for full‑speed runs, and the decision to reintegrate him at the next available Grand Prix reflects Red Bull's aggressive approach to maintaining a full‑strength driver lineup. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how quickly Hadjar can regain his rhythm after a month‑long hiatus. The Baku circuit, known for its long straight, tight city‑center sections and a notorious tunnel, tests a driver’s concentration and car balance.
A strong showing in the practice sessions could set the tone for qualifying and the race itself, potentially allowing him to climb back up the championship order. In summary, Isack Hadjar’s comeback at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix represents a significant moment for both the driver and the Red Bull organization. After a wrist injury forced him out of three consecutive races, he is now cleared to race, with the team expressing enthusiasm and gratitude toward the stand‑in drivers who kept the car competitive in his absence.
The upcoming weekend promises intense on‑track action, a packed broadcast schedule, and the opportunity for Hadjar to re‑establish himself as a contender in the 2026 Formula 1 campaign.