Isack Hadjar, the young French driver who has been sharing a Red Bull Racing seat with Max Verstappen, is slated to return to the Formula One grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a three‑race absence caused by a wrist injury. The 21‑year‑old first tasted top‑level competition in his debut season and has already shown he can contend with the sport's elite, but a training mishap during the summer break in August forced him to miss the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds. The injury was sustained while he was completing a fitness routine, a reminder that even off‑track activities can have serious consequences for drivers whose physical condition is paramount to performance.
Hadjar's comeback will be marked by his participation in the two practice sessions scheduled for Thursday in Baku. The weekend's timetable has been shifted a day earlier than usual to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day, meaning the drivers will have a slightly compressed schedule but ample opportunity for the Frenchman to reacquaint himself with the demanding Baku City Circuit.
A formal statement from Oracle Red Bull Racing, released on Tuesday morning, expressed enthusiasm about the 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." During Hadjar's absence, his seat was temporarily filled by Liam Lawson, who was promoted from the Racing Bulls (formerly known as Visa Cash App Racing Bulls) squad. Lawson stepped in under challenging circumstances and delivered solid performances that helped the team maintain its points haul. At the same time, reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda took over Lawson's position in Red Bull's junior team, providing valuable contributions over the three races.
Red Bull publicly thanked both drivers for their professionalism and dedication, noting that Lawson's efforts were instrumental in keeping the team competitive and that Tsunoda's work earned valuable points for the junior outfit. The Frenchman's early season had already featured a standout result—a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix—demonstrating his ability to extract performance from the Red Bull car.
Before his injury, Hadjar sat eighth in the Drivers' Championship, trailing Verstappen by 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix, the last race before the summer break. The missed events have widened that gap, leaving him 74 points adrift of the Dutch champion and 49 points behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who was previously just 23 points ahead.
Despite the setback, Hadjar's overall form suggests he can quickly regain lost ground if he returns to form in Baku. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is the opening round of a three‑race swing that will continue with events in Malaysia and Singapore over the next two weekends.
The schedule for the Baku weekend is packed: a drivers' press conference on Wednesday morning, followed by a series of practice sessions, qualifying, and the race itself on Saturday. In addition to the main Formula One action, the weekend will feature Formula 2 practice, qualifying, and sprint races, providing fans with a full program of motorsport entertainment.
Red Bull's broader messaging highlighted the team's gratitude toward Lawson and Tsunoda. "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. Similarly, the Racing Bulls organization thanked Tsunoda for his effort, noting that his contributions over the past three races were instrumental in scoring points for the junior team.
Looking ahead, Hadjar's return will be closely watched by pundits and fans alike. The Baku circuit is renowned for its high‑speed straights, tight city corners, and a long main straight that rewards both aerodynamic efficiency and raw engine power. Mastery of these contrasting sections is essential for a strong result, and Hadjar will need to quickly reacclimate to the car's handling characteristics after his rehabilitation.
His ability to adapt will also be a test of the team's engineering support, as they fine‑tune the setup to accommodate any lingering effects from his wrist recovery. If Hadjar can match or exceed his pre‑injury pace, he could make a decisive push in the championship, especially as the season heads into the Asian leg where track characteristics differ markedly from the European circuits. The upcoming races in Malaysia and Singapore will present new challenges, but also opportunities for a driver eager to prove his resilience and skill. In summary, Isack Hadjar is set to rejoin the Red Bull lineup at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a wrist injury forced him out of three consecutive races.
His return will be facilitated by Thursday's practice sessions, and the team has expressed confidence in his full recovery. The weekend will also serve as a platform to acknowledge the contributions of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, who stepped up during Hadjar's absence. With the championship now tighter and the next two races looming, Hadjar's performance in Baku could be pivotal for his season aspirations and for Red Bull's broader campaign.