Red Bull’s young French driver, Isack Hadjar, is poised to re‑enter the Formula 1 grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix following a three‑race absence caused by a wrist problem. The 21‑year‑old, who has been Max Verstappen’s teammate since the start of the 2026 season, was forced to sit out the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds after injuring his wrist while undertaking a fitness routine during the summer hiatus in August. Hadjar’s return will be marked by his participation in the two practice sessions scheduled for Thursday at the Baku City Circuit.
The race weekend has been shifted forward by a day to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day, meaning the driver will have an extra day of track time before the main event on Saturday. In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Oracle Red Bull Racing expressed enthusiasm about the Frenchman’s recovery: "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’s message underscored the confidence they have in Hadjar’s fitness and readiness to compete at the highest level once again. During Hadjar’s hiatus, Liam Lawson was elevated from the Racing Bulls squad to fill the vacant Red Bull seat. Lawson’s stint was complemented by reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda, who took over Lawson’s place in the junior team.
Red Bull praised Lawson’s contributions, noting that he performed admirably under “challenging circumstances” and added valuable points to the team’s tally. The organization also extended gratitude to Tsunoda for his dedication, stating that the Japanese driver will now revert to his reserve role for both the senior and junior outfits.
Hadjar’s early season performance had been solid. He secured a podium finish in Monaco, demonstrating his speed and racecraft alongside the reigning champion Verstappen. Prior to his injury, Hadjar was sitting eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, only 23 points behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Since his withdrawal, that gap has widened to 49 points, and his deficit to Verstappen has grown from 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix to 74 points at present. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the opening leg of a three‑race sprint that will continue with events in Malaysia and Singapore over the next two weekends. The full schedule for the Baku weekend is as follows: - Wednesday, 23 September: Drivers’ press conference at 11:00 am, followed by the Paddock Uncut at 2:00 pm. - Thursday, 24 September: F2 practice at 6:55 am, F1 practice one at 9:30 am, F2 qualifying at 10:55 am, Team bosses’ press conference at 12:00 pm, F1 practice two at 12:30 pm, and The F1 Show at 2:15 pm.
- Friday, 25 September: F2 sprint at 5:10 am, F1 practice three 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, and 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, followed by post‑race analysis.
- Sunday, 27 September: Full race broadcast, chequered‑flag reaction at 2:00 pm, and Ted’s Notebook at 3:00 pm. All sessions will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, with the option to watch via the NOW streaming platform without a long‑term contract. Hadjar’s comeback is not just a personal milestone; it also restores Red Bull’s full driver lineup ahead of a demanding stretch of street‑circuit races.
The team’s technical staff have been closely monitoring his rehabilitation, and medical reports indicate that his wrist has healed sufficiently to withstand the high G‑forces and rapid steering inputs typical of the Baku circuit. Beyond the immediate race weekend, Hadjar’s return could have significant implications for the championship battle. While Verstappen remains the clear points leader, the Frenchman’s ability to score strong finishes will be crucial for Red Bull’s Constructors’ ambitions and for keeping his own title hopes alive. A strong performance in Azerbaijan could also boost his confidence heading into the Asian swing, where the team will face tight competition from Ferrari, Mercedes and the rising McLaren outfit.
In summary, Isack Hadjar is set to rejoin the grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a wrist injury sidelined him for three races. Red Bull has expressed confidence in his recovery, while Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have been thanked for their interim contributions. The weekend’s schedule is packed with practice, qualifying and support races, all broadcast live on Sky Sports. Hadjar’s return not only completes Red Bull’s driver roster but also adds another variable to the evolving 2026 championship narrative.