Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside four‑time world champion Max Verstappen for the 2027 Formula 1 campaign. The French driver, who joined the team at the beginning of the current season after a standout debut with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the final three rounds of the year due to a wrist injury sustained during a summer training session.
Now fully recovered, Hadjar returned to the grid for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix held this weekend, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The announcement comes on the heels of Red Bull’s earlier confirmation that Verstappen has signed a new deal extending his stay until at least the close of 2030. Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s progress, stating, "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Isack. Since his arrival at the start of the year he has impressed both on‑track and off‑track, especially given that this is only his second season in Formula 1.
Extending his contract was therefore a straightforward decision." Mekies highlighted Hadjar’s dedication to the technical side of the sport, noting that the young driver spends countless hours in the Milton Keynes factory working closely with his engineers to refine the car’s setup. "From day one in Melbourne you could see his composure and how quickly he adapted to the step up to a top‑tier car. He earned his place in the seat through sheer professionalism and a relentless desire to improve," Mekies added. The second seat at Red Bull has long been 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, leading to frequent speculation about the role’s longevity. Hadjar, however, has already shown he can compete closely with the Dutchman, even out‑performing him on several occasions this season, which has insulated his position from the usual scrutiny. Despite missing the last three races, Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers’ Championship and reclaimed a podium finish at Monaco after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed the reversal of Pierre Gasly’s penalty for exceeding the speed limit in the pit lane.
Mekies described the period following Hadjar’s injury as "challenging," but emphasized that the contract extension underscores the team’s confidence in his abilities and their belief in his future contributions. Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained, "Hadjar’s absence was due to a wrist injury incurred while hitting a heavy bag during his boxing training. He’s now back, and his performance this weekend confirms why the team kept him.
Liam Lawson filled in admirably, but there was never any doubt that Hadjar would retain the seat. He’s arguably Verstappen’s most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left the team." Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about staying with Oracle Red Bull Racing, saying, "Joining the team eight months ago, I instantly grasped the scale and ambition of the operation. The talent here is extraordinary, and driving alongside a four‑time champion is a privilege.
From the moment I signed, I’ve been committed to earning the trust placed in me, learning every day, and pushing my limits." During the drivers’ press conference in Baku, Hadjar admitted he had taken a relaxed approach to the renewal talks, noting, "I let my management handle the negotiations. I focus on the track; the rest falls into place. If you perform well, you stay – it’s that simple." He also provided an update on his wrist injury, describing it as a small fracture outside the joint that required a lengthy, non‑surgical recovery.
"It’s still painful, but after six weeks the bone is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing. Sim testing went well, and the cockpit feels almost identical to the simulator, so I’m confident about the upcoming race weekend," he explained. The driver added that the rehabilitation period was monotonous, as he was unable to use his left arm for most training activities.
The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, a discipline Hadjar incorporates into his fitness regime. While Red Bull has not imposed new restrictions on his training, he acknowledged the need to be more cautious in the future, saying, "Next time I’ll think twice before throwing a heavy bag. No formal limits, just a personal reminder to stay safe." Looking beyond Red Bull, the top four teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull—have all locked in their driver line‑ups for 2027. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have also secured their drivers, while Audi plans to retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg.
The remaining seats are still up for grabs at Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin. Aston Martin’s situation hinges on Fernando Alonso’s decision.
The two‑time champion is contemplating his future, and his potential retirement would open a coveted seat at the team. Meanwhile, Haas is expected to keep Britain’s Oliver Bearman, but may replace Esteban Ocon with Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, who impressed during his Formula 2 campaign. Red Bull’s junior programme continues to produce talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the current F2 championship. Historically, the team favours promoting its own juniors as quickly as possible, yet they face a dilemma this year: both Racing Bulls drivers Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson have delivered strong performances, making any decision to drop one of them a delicate matter.
The weekend schedule for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is packed with action. On Thursday, September 24, F2 practice begins at 9:00 am, followed by qualifying and the team bosses’ press conference. Friday sees the F2 sprint, the third F1 practice session, and the F2 feature race, leading into the F1 qualifying session at 1:00 pm.
Saturday’s program includes the second F2 feature race, the Grand Prix start at 12:00 pm, and post‑race analysis. Sunday wraps up with the race recap and commentary.
All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and can be streamed via NOW with a flexible, cancel‑anytime subscription. In summary, Isack Hadjar’s contract extension solidifies his role as Max Verstappen’s teammate through at least 2027, reflecting Red Bull’s confidence in his talent, work ethic, and ability to develop the car.
His recovery from injury, steady championship standing and demonstrated competitiveness suggest he will continue to be a key figure in the team’s pursuit of further titles.