Isack Hadjar, the young French driver who has been sharing a Red Bull Racing seat with Max Verstappen, is slated to make his comeback at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing the previous three rounds due to a wrist problem. The injury, which occurred during a routine fitness session in August while the Formula 1 calendar was on its summer hiatus, forced Hadjar to sit out the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix. Now, fully recovered, he will be back in the cockpit for the two practice sessions scheduled on Thursday at the Baku City Circuit, as the event has been shifted a day earlier to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day.
Red Bull released an official statement on Tuesday morning confirming the news: "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." The team praised the progress of his rehabilitation and expressed confidence that he would be ready to compete at the highest level once again. During Hadjar’s absence, Liam Lawson was elevated from the Racing Bulls program to fill the vacant seat at Red Bull Racing, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into the Racing Bulls car. Both drivers were thanked publicly for their contributions.
Red Bull noted, "The team would like to sincerely thank Liam for his professionalism, dedication and hard work over the past three races. Stepping in under challenging circumstances, he delivered some impressive performances and made a valuable contribution to the team. We wish him all the very best as he returns to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls." The statement also highlighted Tsunoda’s effort, saying, "A huge thank you to Yuki for stepping in over the past three races, giving everything for the team and scoring some very valuable points." Hadjar’s first season with Red Bull has been promising. The 21‑year‑old secured a podium finish in Monaco, demonstrating that he can contend with the sport’s elite.
Before his injury, he was sitting eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing Max Verstappen by 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race before the summer break. The missed races have widened that gap to 74 points, and his deficit to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has grown from 23 to 49 points, putting additional pressure on him to deliver strong results upon his return.
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 packed with activities: - Wednesday, 23 September – Drivers’ press conference at 11:00 am, followed by the Paddock Uncut at 2:00 pm. - 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, and 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, and viewers can stream the coverage via NOW with a flexible, cancel‑anytime subscription. Beyond the logistical details, Hadjar’s return carries symbolic weight for the team.
After a period of strong performances from his stand‑in drivers, Red Bull will be eager to see whether the Frenchman can regain his pre‑injury form and contribute to the constructors’ battle against Mercedes and Ferrari. His ability to adapt quickly to the high‑speed, street‑circuit layout of Baku—characterised by long straights, tight corners, and a demanding pit lane—will be a key factor in his performance. The broader F1 community is also watching closely. Recent headlines have highlighted the dramatic nature of the Azerbaijan weekend: George Russell’s ‘Grand Slam’ victory, Kimi Antonelli’s surprising climb up the championship standings, and Lando Norris calling for a race‑ban for Franco Colapinto after a three‑car collision involving Alpine.
These storylines add extra intrigue to a race that often produces unexpected results due to its unique circuit characteristics. In summary, Isack Hadjar’s comeback at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix represents a pivotal moment in his rookie campaign.
After a wrist injury that sidelined him for three rounds, the French driver returns to a packed schedule, a competitive field, and a team eager to see him back in the mix. With the support of his teammates, the gratitude expressed toward Lawson and Tsunoda, and the high‑stakes environment of a triple‑header weekend, Hadjar has a clear opportunity to re‑establish his momentum and fight for valuable points in the championship battle.