Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies reiterated that the French driver Isack Hadjar’s rehabilitation will remain the top priority, and the team will not rush him back onto the grid before they are fully confident in his fitness. The decision on whether Hadjar will take part in the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be made after a series of assessments, including a dedicated simulator session designed to gauge his readiness for the demanding street circuit in Baku. Hadjar has been absent from the last three Formula One events after hurting his wrist during a routine training drill that took place just before the sport resumed after the summer hiatus. In his stead, Liam Lawson, who normally competes for the sister team Racing Bulls, has been called up to fill the vacant seat.
Lawson’s temporary promotion marks his return to a Red Bull‑run car after a brief, ill‑fated two‑race spell at the start of the previous season. Speaking to the press after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, Mekies said the recovery process was proceeding exactly as planned.
He explained that the team had scheduled a simulator run for Hadjar later in the week, which would allow engineers to test the driver’s physical response to the car’s forces and to assess any lingering discomfort. "There is nothing wrong with Isack’s recovery. We’ve learned that the timeline we’re seeing is typical for the type of wrist injury he sustained," Mekies said. He added that Red Bull would maintain their current approach, giving Hadjar ample time to heal before making any decisions.
"We have a full week – actually a little more than a week – to evaluate how he feels, to put him in the simulator and expose him to real‑world constraints. If he feels close to 100 percent, we’ll let him race. If not, we’ll stick to our policy of putting his recovery first," Mekies emphasized. The team’s caution stems from a desire to avoid jeopardising Hadjar’s long‑term performance.
"What we don’t want is an early return that compromises his ability to get back to full strength," Mekius warned. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which will be held on a tight street layout in Baku, is scheduled a day earlier than usual, with practice sessions set for the coming Wednesday and the race on Saturday. This event kicks off a three‑week triple‑header that will see the championship move to Malaysia and then Singapore. Lawson’s stint with Red Bull has been praised by Mekies.
The New Zealander has already qualified eighth on two occasions and has scored points at both the Zandvoort and Madrid rounds, finishing sixth in the latter. "I think he’s done a very good job," Mekies said. "It’s not easy to jump into a different team and a different car, but he’s met, and in many ways exceeded, our expectations. He earned valuable points in Madrid with a P6 finish, replicated that performance in Zandvoort, and would likely have done the same in Monza if not for the contact with Nico Hulkenberg that caused damage." Mekies also highlighted the stark contrast between Lawson’s early 2025 outings with the team and his current form, noting the driver’s growth and increased confidence.
"He’s very calm in the car and very focused. He keeps things simple, tracks well with the team, and approaches his performance methodically.
That focus on the basics is paying off," the team principal explained. "With more time in the car, he can add another layer of finesse, but even now his fundamentals are very strong." Lawson’s resurgence at Racing Bulls over the past year has been marked by consistent points finishes, and his brief promotion to the senior Red Bull seat came as a pleasant surprise to the team. Mekies, who has worked with Lawson across both Red Bull outfits, believes the driver’s steady improvement bodes well for his future prospects within the organization.
As the F1 calendar moves into the final stretch of the season, fans can follow the live action on Sky Sports F1, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix serving as the opening act of the September triple‑header. The race will be streamed via NOW, offering a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time. Red Bull will continue to monitor Hadjar’s condition closely over the next week, ensuring that any decision to return to the track is made with the driver’s health and long‑term competitiveness as the foremost consideration.