Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside Max Verstappen as his teammate for the 2027 Formula 1 campaign. The French driver, who joined the team at the beginning of the current season after a standout rookie year with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the last three Grand Prix due to a wrist injury sustained during a training session over the summer break. He has now recovered sufficiently to return to the grid for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, a race that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
The announcement comes just weeks after Red Bull revealed that four‑time world champion Max Verstappen has signed a fresh contract extending his stay with the squad until at least the end of 2030. Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s progress, stating, "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Isack. Since his arrival at the start of the year he has impressed both on‑track and off‑track, especially given that this is only his second season in Formula 1.
Extending his contract was therefore an easy decision for us." Mekies added that Hadjar immersed himself in the team culture from day one, spending countless hours in the Milton Keynes factory working closely with his engineers to develop the car. "His eagerness to learn and improve was evident from the very first weekend in Melbourne, where he handled the step up to a Red Bull seat with remarkable composure and quickly earned his place among the elite," the team principal said. The second seat at Red Bull is widely regarded as the most demanding on the grid.
Former drivers such as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have all struggled to match Verstappen’s pace, and the role has often been described as a make‑or‑break test for any up‑and‑coming talent. Hadjar, however, has shown himself to be one of the few drivers who can consistently challenge the Dutchman, even edging him out on occasion this season. Consequently, his position has not been subject to the same level of scrutiny that other teammates have faced.
Despite missing the final three races, Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers’ Championship. He also 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 highlighted the difficulty of the period following Hadjar’s injury, noting that the contract extension is a clear sign of the team’s confidence in his abilities. "We have many goals for the remainder of the season, and it is reassuring to know that our drivers, engineers and factory staff are all aligned and committed to the same vision," he said. Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained the circumstances surrounding Hadjar’s absence: "He injured his arm and wrist while hitting a heavy bag during his boxing training. The injury kept him out for three rounds, but he has recovered and will be back on the grid this weekend.
There was no surprise when Red Bull confirmed he will stay on for 2027 – he has been Verstappen’s most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left the team." Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about continuing with Oracle Red Bull Racing. "I am genuinely excited to keep racing for this team.
I joined eight months ago and instantly grasped the scale and ambition of the operation. The talent in the factory is extraordinary, and driving alongside a four‑time world champion like Max is a privilege," he said. "From the moment I signed, I committed myself to the team, and thanks to the support of Laurent and everyone in Milton Keynes, I have been able to justify the faith they placed in me. Every day I strive to listen, learn and push my limits further." During the drivers’ press conference in Baku, Hadjar admitted that contract talks had never been a source of anxiety for him.
"I didn’t even discuss it. My representatives handled everything. I focus on the racing and let the paperwork be taken care of," he explained.
When asked whether the new deal was a multi‑year arrangement, he responded with a casual shrug: "I don’t really know the exact length, and I don’t worry about it. If you perform well, you stay.
That's all that matters." He also provided details on his wrist injury, describing it as a small fracture outside the joint that required a lengthy rehabilitation process but no surgery. "It’s still a bit painful, but after six weeks the bone is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing.
I tested the car in the simulator and it felt normal, so I’m confident the transition back to the cockpit will be smooth," Hadjar said. He admitted that the training sessions had been dull because he could not use his left arm, but he remained optimistic about a full recovery. The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, a component of his fitness regimen. Red Bull has not imposed any new restrictions on his training, although Hadjar acknowledged that he will be more cautious in the future.
"Next time I’ll think twice before throwing a heavy bag. Maybe strap my wrist a bit better. I’m not a child, so I just need to be smarter about it," he said.
With Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren all confirming their driver line‑ups for 2027, the remaining teams are still shaping their rosters. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have already secured their drivers, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg. The open spots now belong to Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin.
Aston Martin’s future hinges on Fernando Alonso’s decision; if the two‑time champion retires, a seat will open up. Alonso has hinted that his departure will not be announced soon, citing dissatisfaction with the current regulations. Meanwhile, Haas appears set to keep Britain’s Oliver Bearman, but his teammate Esteban Ocon could be displaced as the team is rumored to promote Ferrari junior Rafael Camara for the 2027 season after his impressive Formula 2 performances. Red Bull’s junior programme continues to produce talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the current F2 championship.
Historically, the team has a track record of promoting its junior drivers quickly, yet they face a delicate decision this year because both Racing Bulls drivers, Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, are delivering strong results. Dropping either would be a tough call. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend schedule is packed with action. On Thursday, September 24, F2 practice begins at 6:55 am, followed by qualifying and the team bosses’ press conference.
Friday features the F2 sprint, additional practice sessions, and the F2 feature race, alongside the build‑up to the F1 qualifying at 1 pm. Saturday, September 26, hosts the F2 feature race, the Grand Prix itself at midday, and post‑race analysis. All events will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, with the Formula 1 race also available via NOW streaming without a long‑term contract.
In summary, Isack Hadjar’s extension with Red Bull underscores the team’s confidence in his talent and his ability to grow alongside Max Verstappen. His recovery from injury, strong performances despite limited race time, and the endorsement from both the team principal and his own teammates suggest a promising future for the young French driver as he aims to cement his place among Formula 1’s elite.