Red Bull Racing has officially announced that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside four‑time world champion Max Verstappen for the 2027 Formula One season. The French driver, who joined the team at the beginning of the current year after a standout debut with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the last three Grand Prix events because of a wrist injury sustained during a summer training session. He is now cleared to race and will take part in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The confirmation comes just weeks after Red Bull revealed that Verstappen has extended his contract to remain with the squad until at least the end of 2030.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar, saying, "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Isack. Since he arrived at the start of the season he has been exemplary both on‑track and off‑track, especially given that this is only his second year in Formula One. Extending his deal was therefore a straightforward decision." Mekies added that Hadjar immersed himself in the team culture from day one, spending countless hours in the Milton Keynes factory working closely with his engineers to develop the car.
"His composure during his debut weekend in Melbourne was remarkable, and he quickly earned his place in the seat," the team boss noted. The second seat at Red Bull is widely 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, and the role has a reputation for being a career‑defining test. Hadjar, however, has shown he can compete at a high level, even out‑qualifying his champion teammate on a few occasions this year.
As a result, his position has not been subject to the same level of scrutiny that other drivers have faced. Despite his injury‑forced absence, Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers' Championship and reclaimed a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed the reversal of Pierre Gasly's speeding penalties.
Mekies highlighted the difficulty of the past few weeks for Hadjar, stating, "The period since his injury has been challenging, but this contract extension demonstrates the confidence we have in his abilities. We look forward to seeing him back in the cockpit." He also emphasized the unity within the team, noting that engineers, drivers and factory staff are all aligned toward common goals for the remainder of the season. Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater commented, "Hadjar missed the last three rounds after injuring his arm and wrist while hitting a heavy bag in his boxing training.
He has recovered and will be back for the Baku race, securing his place next year. Liam Lawson performed admirably as a stand‑in, but no one was surprised to see Hadjar retain the seat.
He has been Verstappen's most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo's departure." Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about staying with Oracle Red Bull Racing: "Joining the team eight months ago, I instantly grasped the scale and ambition of the operation. The talent pool at the factory is incredible, and driving alongside a four‑time champion like Max is a privilege.
From day one I have committed myself to the team, and with the support of Laurent and everyone in Milton Keynes I have been able to justify the faith placed in me. I am constantly listening, learning and pushing my limits every day." During the drivers' press conference in Baku, Hadjar said he felt completely relaxed about the renewal talks and admitted he was unaware of the contract length.
"I let my people handle the negotiations. I focus on the track, and that’s it. It was an easy decision," he explained. When asked whether the deal spanned multiple years, he replied, "I don’t really know the exact term, but if you perform well you stay, and that’s all that matters." He also detailed the nature of his wrist injury, describing it as a minor fracture that required no surgery.
"The healing process is lengthy and still a bit painful, but after six weeks the wrist is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing. The simulator tests have been positive, and the environment feels almost identical to the real cockpit.
The only downside has been the monotony of rehabilitation, as I could barely use my left arm during training sessions." The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, a discipline Hadjar incorporates into his fitness regime. Red Bull has not imposed new restrictions on his training, though he acknowledged he will be more cautious in the future: "Next time I’ll be more careful, maybe strap the wrist, but there are no formal limits.
I’m not a child; I just need to think twice before throwing a punch." With Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren all confirming their driver line‑ups through 2027, the remaining teams are still shaping their rosters. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have secured their 2027 drivers, while Audi plans to keep Gabriel Bortoleto paired with Nico Hülkenberg. The open spots belong to Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin. Aston Martin’s future hinges on Fernando Alonso’s decision; if the two‑time champion retires, a seat will open for a newcomer.
Alonso has hinted that a decision will not come soon, expressing dissatisfaction with the current regulations and prompting FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to suggest accelerating the development of Aston Martin’s Honda power unit. At Haas, British rookie Oliver Bearman is expected to remain, but his teammate Esteban Ocon could lose his drive if the team decides to promote Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, who impressed during his Formula 2 campaign.
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s junior program continues to produce talent: Nikola Tsolov leads the F2 championship, and the team traditionally promotes its promising drivers quickly. However, Red Bull faces a dilemma because both Racing Bulls drivers, Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, are delivering strong performances, making any decision to drop one of them difficult.
The upcoming race weekend schedule is packed: - Thursday, 24 September: F2 practice, qualifying, and team bosses' press conference, followed by Azerbaijan GP practice sessions and The F1 Show. - Friday, 25 September: F2 sprint, third practice session, F2 feature race, and the build‑up to Azerbaijan GP qualifying.
- Saturday, 26 September: F2 feature race 2, the Grand Prix itself, post‑race analysis and commentary. All sessions will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix forming the centerpiece of a triple‑header weekend. Fans can watch via Sky Sports F1 or the NOW streaming service, which offers a flexible, contract‑free option. In summary, Isack Hadjar’s continuation with Red Bull through 2027 solidifies the team’s driver lineup for the foreseeable future, underscores the confidence the organisation has in his talent, and adds another layer of intrigue to the championship battle as the season progresses toward its climax in Baku.