Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside four‑time world champion Max Verstappen as the team’s second driver for the 2027 Formula 1 campaign. Hadjar, who earned his place at the senior outfit after a standout rookie season with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the final three rounds of the current season due to a wrist injury sustained during a training session over the summer break. The 21‑year‑old, however, has recovered sufficiently to return to the grid at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The announcement comes on the heels of Red Bull’s earlier confirmation that Verstappen has signed a new contract extending his stay with the team until at least the end of 2030.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s progress, saying, “We are thrilled to keep Isack with us. Since he joined at the start of the year he has been outstanding both on‑track and off‑track, especially given that this is only his second season in Formula 1. Extending his deal was therefore a straightforward decision.” Mekies highlighted Hadjar’s work ethic, noting that the young Frenchman spent countless hours in the Milton Keynes factory alongside his engineers, constantly seeking ways to improve the car’s performance.
“From day one in Melbourne you could see his composure and how quickly he adapted to the step up to a top‑tier car. He earned his seat with merit,” Mekies added. 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 revolving door.
Hadjar, however, has consistently been closer to Verstappen’s performance level than many of his predecessors and has even out‑qualified his champion teammate on several occasions this season, shielding his position from criticism despite his recent injury‑related absence. Even after missing three races, Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers’ Championship and reclaimed a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed a penalty that had originally stripped Pierre Gasly of his result.
Mekies described the post‑injury period as “challenging for Isack,” but emphasized that the contract extension reflects the team’s confidence in his long‑term potential. “We have a lot to achieve this year, and it’s reassuring to know that drivers, engineers and the whole factory are aligned and committed to the same goal.” Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained the nature of Hadjar’s injury: “He injured his wrist and forearm while hitting a heavy bag in a boxing workout, a routine part of his fitness regime. He’s now recovered and will be back on the grid this weekend. Liam Lawson performed admirably as his stand‑in, but there was never any doubt that Hadjar would retain the seat.
He’s arguably been Verstappen’s most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left the team.” Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about remaining with Oracle Red Bull Racing, stating, “Joining the team eight months ago, I instantly grasped the scale and ambition of the operation. The talent here is extraordinary, and it’s a privilege to race alongside a champion like Max. From the moment I signed, I’ve been dedicated to justifying the trust placed in me.
Every day I aim to listen, learn and push my limits further.” When questioned at the Drivers’ Press Conference in Baku about the contract talks, Hadjar admitted he had taken a relaxed approach, leaving the negotiations to his management. “I let my people handle it. I focus on delivering on the track, and that’s all that matters to me,” he said.
When asked whether the deal covered multiple years, he replied, “I’m not sure of the exact length, but if you perform well you stay. That’s the simple truth.” Regarding his wrist injury, Hadjar explained that he suffered a small fracture near the wrist, which required a lengthy rehabilitation process but did not necessitate surgery.
“It’s been a slow recovery, and it still hurts at times, but after about six weeks the bone is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing,” he noted. He added that his simulator work had gone well, providing confidence that the car would feel familiar once back on track. “Training has been dull because I’ve been unable to use my left arm much, but the simulation environment is almost identical to the cockpit, so I feel ready.” The injury occurred during a routine boxing session, a component of his fitness routine.
Red Bull has not imposed new restrictions on his training, though Hadjar acknowledged he will be more cautious in the future. “Next time I’ll think twice, maybe strap my wrist, but there are no formal limits. I’m not a child; I just need to be smarter about it.” Across Formula 1, the top four teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull—have already secured their driver line‑ups through 2027.
Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have also locked in their 2027 drivers, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg. The remaining teams—Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin—still have open seats.
Aston Martin’s situation hinges on Fernando Alonso’s decision; if the two‑time champion retires, a coveted seat will become available. In the midfield, Britain’s Oliver Bearman is expected to stay at Haas, but his teammate Esteban Ocon may lose his drive as Haas appears set to promote Ferrari junior Rafael Camara to a Formula 1 debut in 2027 after his impressive Formula 2 campaign. Red Bull’s junior program continues to nurture talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the current F2 championship.
Historically, Red Bull has been quick to promote its junior drivers to the senior team, but the decision is complicated this year because both Racing Bulls drivers—Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson—are performing strongly, making any potential reshuffle delicate. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend schedule is as follows: Thursday, 24 September – F2 practice at 09:00, F2 qualifying at 10:55, team bosses’ press conference at 12:00, F2 practice two at 12:30, and the F1 show at 14:15. Friday, 25 September – F2 sprint at 05:10, F1 practice three at 09:15, F2 Feature Race 1 at 11:10, build‑up to Azerbaijan GP qualifying at 12:30, Azerbaijan GP qualifying at 13:00, and Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 15:00.
Saturday, 26 September – F2 Feature Race 2 at 07:55, Grand Prix build‑up at 10:30, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself at 12:00, post‑race reaction at 14:00, and Ted’s Notebook at 15:00. All sessions will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, with the Formula 1 race also available via NOW streaming without a long‑term contract.