Red Bull’s French rookie Isack Hadjar is poised to get back behind the wheel at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ending a three‑race absence caused by a wrist problem. The 21‑year‑old, who has shown promise as Max Verstappen’s teammate during his debut season, injured his wrist while completing a fitness routine during the summer break in August. The setback forced him to miss the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds, but medical staff have confirmed a full recovery, allowing him to rejoin the squad for the Baku weekend.
Hadjar’s return will be marked by participation in both Thursday practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit. The race weekend’s timetable has been shifted a day earlier this year to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day, meaning the driver will have the opportunity to test the car on Thursday rather than the usual Friday slot. In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Oracle Red Bull Racing expressed enthusiasm about the young driver’s comeback: "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, Liam Lawson was elevated from the Racing Bulls programme to fill the vacant Red Bull seat, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into Lawson’s spot at the junior team. Red Bull praised Lawson’s professionalism and dedication, noting that he delivered "impressive performances" under challenging circumstances and contributed valuable points to the team. The organization also thanked Tsunoda for his efforts, acknowledging the Japanese driver’s willingness to step in and score points over the three races he covered.
Hadjar’s first season with Red Bull has been solid, highlighted by a podium finish in Monaco and consistent points‑scoring finishes that kept him in eighth place in the Drivers’ Championship before his injury. At the time he withdrew, he trailed McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 23 points; that gap has now widened to 49 points.
Prior to the summer break, he was 38 points behind Verstappen after the Hungarian Grand Prix, but the missed races have increased the deficit to 74 points. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks 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 as follows: - Wednesday, 23 September – Drivers’ press conference at 11:00 am.
- Thursday, 24 September – F2 practice at 6:55 am, Azerbaijan GP Practice 1 at 9:30 am, F2 qualifying at 10:55 am, Team bosses’ press conference at 12:00 pm, Practice 2 at 1:00 pm, and The F1 Show at 2:15 pm. - Friday, 25 September – F2 sprint at 5:10 am, Practice 3 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, followed by Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm. - Saturday, 26 September – F2 Feature Race 2 at 7:55 am, Grand Prix build‑up at 10:30 am, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself at 12:00 pm, post‑race reaction at 2:00 pm, and Ted’s Notebook at 3:00 pm. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with additional coverage on the Sky Sports F1 channel and streaming via NOW.
Viewers are advised to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback. Hadjar’s return is significant for Red Bull’s championship aspirations. The team will be eager to see whether the Frenchman can quickly regain his rhythm and contribute to the constructors’ points tally.
His performance will also be closely watched by rivals, as a fully fit Hadjar could add another competitive element to the battles that have already defined the early part of the 2026 season. The Baku race itself promises excitement, with George Russell having edged out Max Verstappen in a dramatic finish, while rookie Kimi Antonelli recovered to finish fifth after a qualifying incident. McLaren, Ferrari and other front‑runners will all be looking to capitalize on the momentum generated by the opening round of the triple‑header.
In summary, Isack Hadjar’s comeback at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix represents a key moment for both the driver and the Red Bull outfit. After a wrist injury forced him out of three consecutive races, he is now cleared to compete in Thursday’s practice sessions, with the team expressing confidence in his full recovery. The weekend’s schedule is packed with support races and media events, and fans can follow the action across multiple platforms. Hadjar’s ability to bounce back will be a storyline to watch as the 2026 Formula 1 season continues its push across Asia and the Middle East.