Isack Hadjar, the young French driver who shares Red Bull Racing's #1 car with five-time world champion Max Verstappen, is slated to make his return to the Formula 1 grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku after a three‑race absence caused by a wrist injury. The 21‑year‑old suffered the setback while undertaking a fitness routine during the summer break in August, which forced him to sit out the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds.
Despite the interruption, Hadjar’s debut season has been respectable; he has already secured a podium finish in Monaco and consistently contributed points for the team. The recovery process progressed faster than many expected.
Medical staff at Oracle Red Bull Racing reported that Hadjar’s wrist healed well and that he regained full strength and mobility ahead of the scheduled Baku weekend. The team released a statement on Tuesday morning confirming his fitness and expressing enthusiasm about his 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." This announcement means Hadjar will take part in the two practice sessions on Thursday, giving him valuable track time before qualifying and the race on Saturday.
In Hadjar’s absence, Red Bull’s junior outfit, Racing Bulls, promoted Liam Lawson from its main line‑up to fill the vacant seat. Lawson performed admirably under pressure, delivering solid lap times and helping the team maintain its points haul.
Meanwhile, reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into the Racing Bulls car for the three races Hadjar missed, earning praise for his professionalism and the points he contributed. The team publicly thanked both drivers: "Stepping in under challenging circumstances, he delivered some impressive performances and made a valuable contribution to the team. We wish him all the very best as he returns to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls," the statement read regarding Lawson, and a similar note of gratitude was extended to Tsunoda. Hadjar’s return comes at a pivotal moment in the 2026 championship.
Before the summer hiatus, he was 38 points behind Verstappen in the drivers’ standings after the Hungarian Grand Prix. The missed races have widened that gap to 74 points, and his position in the championship has slipped to eighth overall. He also finds himself 49 points behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, a deficit that grew from 23 points when he first went down with the injury.
Nonetheless, the young Frenchman remains a key component of Red Bull’s strategy, providing Verstappen with a reliable teammate capable of challenging the front‑row competitors. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself marks the opening of a three‑race swing that will continue with events in Malaysia and Singapore over the next two weekends. The Baku circuit, known for its long straightaways and tight city‑centre sections, often produces dramatic races and unpredictable outcomes, making Hadjar’s comeback all the more exciting for fans and analysts alike.
The weekend schedule has been adjusted slightly to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day, moving the program a day earlier than usual. Thursday, September 24, will feature the first practice session at 9:30 am local time, followed by a second session that starts at 1 pm. Friday will see the final practice, a sprint race, and the crucial qualifying session that determines the starting grid for the Sunday race. All sessions are set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and streamed via NOW, with no long‑term contract required.
Beyond the on‑track action, the weekend includes a series of media events: a drivers’ press conference on Wednesday morning, a paddock uncut interview later that day, and a team bosses’ press conference on Thursday afternoon. Fans can also look forward to analysis segments such as "The F1 Show" and "Ted’s Qualifying Notebook," which provide insights into strategy, tyre choices, and driver performance. Hadjar’s return is not just a personal milestone; it also restores the full complement of Red Bull’s driver lineup, allowing the team to continue its development work on the RB‑26 chassis without the disruption of rotating reserve drivers.
The Frenchman’s feedback will be crucial as Red Bull fine‑tunes aerodynamic upgrades and power‑unit mappings ahead of the upcoming Asian races. In summary, Isack Hadjar is set to rejoin the Red Bull garage for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a successful rehabilitation from a wrist injury that sidelined him for three rounds. His comeback will be witnessed during Thursday’s practice sessions, and he will aim to regain lost ground in the championship while supporting Verstappen’s bid for another title. The team has expressed gratitude to Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda for their contributions during his absence, and the entire Formula 1 community will be watching closely to see how the young driver performs on the demanding streets of Baku.