Isack Hadjar, the 21‑year‑old French driver who shares Red Bull’s #1 car with reigning champion Max Verstappen, is poised to return to the grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku after missing three rounds with a wrist injury. The young Frenchman, who has shown promise throughout his debut season, was forced to sit out the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix after injuring his wrist during a routine fitness session in August, during the sport’s summer hiatus.
Hadjar’s comeback will be marked by his participation in both Friday practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit. The race weekend has been shifted forward by a day to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day, meaning the driver will have an extra day on track to shake off any lingering stiffness and reacquaint himself with the high‑speed, narrow layout of the street circuit. Red Bull issued a statement on Tuesday morning confirming that the team is delighted to welcome Hadjar back, noting that his recovery has been successful and that he is medically cleared to compete. "Oracle Red Bull Racing is thrilled to have Isack back in the garage this weekend," the statement read.
"After a thorough rehabilitation program, Isack is fully fit and will be back in the cockpit at the Baku City Circuit on Thursday." During Hadjar’s absence, Liam Lawson was promoted from the Racing Bulls squad to fill the vacant Red Bull seat, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into the Racing Bulls car for the three races. Red Bull praised Lawson’s professionalism and his ability to deliver solid performances under pressure, acknowledging his contribution to the team’s points haul. The team also thanked Tsunoda for his dedication, noting that his effort helped the junior outfit secure valuable championship points. The French driver’s first season with Red Bull has already featured a podium finish in Monaco, a race where he demonstrated both speed and composure in a highly competitive field.
Prior to his injury, Hadjar sat eighth in the Drivers' Championship, trailing Verstappen by 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix, the final event before the summer break. Since his withdrawal, the gap to the Dutchman has widened to 74 points, while his deficit to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has grown from 23 to 49 points, underscoring the importance of a strong return.
Hadjar’s return is not only crucial for his personal championship hopes but also for Red Bull’s broader strategy. The team is currently navigating a tightly contested season, with multiple rivals—Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren—all within striking distance of the title. A fully fit Hadjar can provide Verstappen with the necessary support in qualifying and race strategy, especially on circuits where tyre management and overtaking opportunities are limited. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself opens a three‑race swing that will see the championship travel to Malaysia and Singapore over the next two weekends.
The Baku race is scheduled for Saturday at midday, with a full programme of practice, qualifying and support events detailed by the organizers. Notably, the weekend’s timetable includes Formula 2 practice and qualifying sessions, as well as a series of press conferences and fan‑focused content such as "The F1 Show" and "Ted’s Qualifying Notebook." Key dates for the weekend are as follows: - Wednesday, 23 September: Drivers' press conference at 11:00 am. - Thursday, 24 September: First practice session at 9:30 am, second practice at 1:00 pm, and the team bosses' press conference at noon. - Friday, 25 September: Sprint race (F2) at 5:10 am, third practice session at 9:30 am, and qualifying for the Grand Prix at 1:00 pm.
- Saturday, 26 September: The Grand Prix itself starts at 12:00 pm, followed by post‑race analysis and reactions. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW without a long‑term contract.
The broadcaster will also provide additional coverage of the support races and the extensive pre‑race programming. Beyond the immediate race weekend, Hadjar’s return raises several strategic questions for Red Bull. Will the Frenchman be able to match Verstappen’s qualifying pace on a circuit that heavily rewards clean air and low‑drag setups? Can he convert any strong qualifying position into a podium finish, thereby narrowing the points gap?
And how will his presence affect the team’s internal dynamics, especially as Red Bull continues to balance the development of its junior drivers with the demands of a title fight? The answer to these questions will begin to emerge on Thursday when Hadjar takes to the track for the first time in three weeks.
The team’s engineers will be keen to assess his wrist’s resilience under the high G‑forces typical of Baku’s long straights and tight corners. Meanwhile, Lawson will return to the Racing Bulls seat, where he will aim to continue the momentum he built during his stint with the senior team.
In summary, Isack Hadjar’s anticipated return at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks a pivotal moment in the 2026 Formula 1 season. After a brief but challenging rehabilitation period, the French driver is set to rejoin a Red Bull lineup that is still vying for the championship. His performance in Baku will not only influence his personal standing in the Drivers' Championship but also contribute to Red Bull’s broader quest for constructors’ points as the series moves into a demanding triple‑header across Asia.