Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside Max Verstappen as his teammate for the 2027 Formula 1 campaign. Hadjar, who earned his place at the senior team after a standout debut with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the final three rounds of the current season due to a wrist injury sustained during a summer training session.
The 21‑year‑old is now cleared to race and will return to action at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The announcement comes on the heels of Red Bull’s earlier confirmation that four‑time world champion Max Verstappen has signed a fresh deal extending his stay until at least the end of 2030.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s progress, saying, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Isack. Since he joined 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 a straightforward decision.” Mekies added that Hadjar immersed himself in the team environment 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 his first weekend in Melbourne, where he displayed remarkable composure for a rookie and quickly earned his place in the seat,” Mekies explained.
The second driver’s role 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 found it difficult to match Verstappen’s pace. Yet Hadjar has consistently been closer to the Dutchman than many of his predecessors, even out‑performing him on several occasions this season, which has insulated his position from criticism.
Despite missing three races, Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers’ Championship and reclaimed a podium finish at Monaco after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed the reversal of Pierre Gasly’s penalty. Mekies highlighted the resilience shown during Hadjar’s recovery, stating, “The period after his injury was challenging, but this contract extension underscores our belief in his talent. We look forward to seeing him back on the track and contributing to the team’s goals.” Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater noted, “Hadjar’s absence was due to a wrist injury sustained while hitting a heavy bag during his boxing training. He has recovered and will race this weekend, confirming his partnership with Verstappen for 2027.
Liam Lawson performed admirably in his place, but no one was surprised to see Hadjar retain the seat. He has been Verstappen’s most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure.” Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about staying with Oracle Red Bull Racing, saying, “I’m thrilled to continue with this team.
From the moment I arrived eight months ago, I understood the scale and ambition of the organisation. The talent in the factory is extraordinary, and driving alongside a four‑time champion like Max is a privilege. Since signing, I’ve committed myself to listening, learning and pushing my limits every day.” During the drivers’ press conference in Baku, Hadjar admitted he was completely relaxed about the contract talks, even claiming he was unaware of the exact length of the new deal.
“I let my team handle the negotiations. I focus on the track, and that’s it.
It was an easy decision,” he said. When asked whether the agreement spanned multiple years, he replied, “I don’t really know, and I don’t mind. If you perform well, you stay.” He also discussed the nature of his wrist injury, describing it as a small fracture that required no surgery. “The healing process is lengthy and still painful, but after six weeks the wrist is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing.
Sim testing went well, and the cockpit feels almost identical to the simulator, so I’m confident about returning.” He admitted the rehabilitation period was monotonous, as he could not use his left arm much. The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout. Red Bull has not imposed new restrictions on his training regimen, though Hadjar said 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 the sport, the top four teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull—have all locked in their driver line‑ups for 2027.
Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have also secured their rosters, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg. The remaining seats belong to Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin, where changes are still possible. Aston Martin’s future may hinge on Fernando Alonso’s decision; if he retires, a seat could open up.
Alonso has hinted that a decision is not imminent, expressing dissatisfaction with the current regulations and noting comments from FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem about accelerating Honda’s engine supply deficit for Aston Martin. At Haas, British youngster Oliver Bearman is expected to stay, but his teammate Esteban Ocon could lose his drive if the team promotes Ferrari junior Rafael Camara for 2027 after his strong Formula 2 performances.
Red Bull’s own junior program continues to produce talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the F2 championship. The team faces a delicate choice, as both Racing Bulls drivers Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson have delivered impressive results this year, making any decision to drop one of them difficult. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule is packed with supporting events, including multiple F2 practice sessions, qualifying, and races, all streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event.
The 2026 Formula 1 season continues this weekend, with the Baku race kicking off on Saturday at midday, available for streaming via NOW without a contract and with the option to cancel at any time.