Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside four‑time world champion Max Verstappen as his teammate for the 2027 Formula One 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 because of a wrist injury sustained during a summer‑break training session. He is now fully cleared to race and will line up for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, an event broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The announcement comes on the heels of Red Bull’s earlier confirmation that Verstappen has extended his contract to remain with the squad until at least the end of 2030.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s rapid integration, noting that the 21‑year‑old has impressed both on‑track and behind the scenes despite this being only his second season in the sport. "From day one Isack threw himself into the project, spending countless hours in the factory with his engineers, soaking up data and offering fresh ideas on car development.
His composure in Melbourne showed he could handle the step up to a top‑tier car with remarkable poise, and extending his deal was a straightforward decision," Mekies said. The second seat at Red Bull has traditionally been the most demanding on the grid. Former occupants such as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have all found it difficult to match Verstappen’s pace.
Hadjar, however, has already demonstrated he can compete at a higher level, even out‑qualifying his team‑mate on a few occasions this year, which has helped to silence any lingering doubts about his suitability for the role. Even after missing three races, Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers' Championship and reclaimed a podium finish at Monaco after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed a penalty that had originally stripped Pierre Gasly of his result. Mekies highlighted the resilience shown by the Frenchman during his recovery period, adding that the contract extension reflects the team’s confidence in his long‑term potential.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained that Hadjar’s injury was caused by a heavy‑bag impact during a boxing workout, a routine part of his fitness regime. "He’s back on track now and will partner Verstappen in 2027. Liam Lawson performed admirably as a stand‑in, but everyone expected Hadjar to retain the seat.
He’s arguably the most competitive Red Bull teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left," Slater commented. Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about staying with Oracle Red Bull Racing. "When I arrived eight months ago I instantly grasped the scale and ambition of this operation.
The talent in the factory is extraordinary, and driving alongside a champion like Max is a privilege. From the moment I signed, I committed myself to earning the trust placed in me by Laurent and the whole team.
Every day I aim to listen, learn and push my limits further," he said. During the post‑race press conference in Baku, Hadjar admitted he had taken a relaxed approach to the contract talks, even stating he was unaware of the exact length of the new deal. "I let my people handle the negotiations. I focus on delivering on the track and let the results speak for themselves," he explained.
When asked whether the agreement covered multiple years, he shrugged, "I don’t really know the details. If you perform well, you stay – that’s all that matters." Regarding his wrist injury, Hadjar described a small fracture on the outside of his wrist that required a lengthy, non‑surgical healing process.
"It’s still a bit painful, but after six weeks the bone is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing. The simulator tests went well, and the car’s feel there is almost identical to the cockpit, so I’m confident the transition back to the track will be smooth," he added.
He also noted that the rehabilitation period was monotonous, as he could do very little with his left arm. The incident occurred during a routine boxing drill, and while Red Bull has not imposed any new restrictions on his training, Hadjar said he will be more cautious moving forward.
"Next time I’ll think twice before throwing a heavy bag. Maybe strap the wrist, but there are no formal limits – I’m an adult and can manage my own preparation," he laughed. Red Bull’s driver line‑up for 2027 is now fully locked in, joining Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren, all of which have confirmed their 2027 rosters. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have also secured their drivers through next season, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg.
The remaining teams—Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin—still have open seats, and the market could see notable movement. Aston Martin’s future is particularly uncertain due to Fernando Alonso’s indecision about retirement. If the two‑time champion steps away, a coveted seat will open up. Meanwhile, Haas is expected to keep Britain’s Oliver Bearman, but his teammate position may be taken by Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, who impressed in Formula 2.
Red Bull’s junior program also has a strong candidate in Nikola Tsolov, the current F2 championship leader, who could be fast‑tracked to Formula 1 given the team’s history of promoting young talent. The weekend’s schedule is packed with action: F2 practice sessions begin at 6:55 am on Thursday, followed by qualifying and a team‑boss press conference.
Friday features the F2 sprint, additional practice, and the F2 feature race, while Saturday hosts the F2 second feature race and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying. The main event, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, will take place on Sunday with live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and streaming via NOW, offering a no‑contract, cancel‑anytime option for viewers.
Overall, the confirmation of Hadjar’s continued role at Red Bull underscores the team’s commitment to nurturing young talent while maintaining a stable driver line‑up for the upcoming seasons. His recovery, performance and chemistry with Verstappen suggest that the Frenchman is well‑positioned to contribute to Red Bull’s pursuit of further championships in the years ahead.