Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside four‑time world champion Max Verstappen for the 2027 Formula 1 campaign. The French driver, who joined the team at the beginning of the current season after a standout debut with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the last three rounds because of a wrist injury sustained during a training session over the summer break.
Now fully recovered, Hadjar is back on the grid for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The announcement follows Red Bull's earlier confirmation that Verstappen has signed a new deal extending his stay with the team until at least the end of 2030. Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s rapid integration and his performance both on and off the track.
"Since he arrived at the start of the year, Isack has been exceptional in every respect. Considering this is only his second season in Formula 1, extending his contract was an easy decision," Mekies said. "From day one he immersed himself in the factory, working side‑by‑side with his engineers to develop the car. His composure in Melbourne showed he could handle the step up with remarkable poise, earning his place in the seat." 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 often been described as a trial by fire. Hadjar, however, has shown he can compete closely with the Dutch driver, even out‑performing him on a few occasions this season, which has shielded his position from the usual scrutiny. Despite his three‑race absence, 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 added that the period following Hadjar’s injury was challenging, but the contract extension demonstrates the team’s confidence in his potential.
"We have many goals for the rest of the season, and it’s reassuring to know that drivers, engineers and the whole factory are aligned and committed," he said. Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater noted that Hadjar’s injury came from a heavy‑bag boxing drill, a routine part of his fitness regime. "He’s recovered and will be back on the grid this weekend. Liam Lawson filled in admirably, but there was never any doubt that Hadjar would retain the seat.
He’s arguably Verstappen’s toughest teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left the team," Slater commented. Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about staying with Oracle Red Bull Racing. "Joining the team eight months ago, I immediately grasped the scale and ambition of the operation.
The talent in the factory is incredible, and it’s a privilege to race alongside a four‑time champion like Max. From day one I’ve committed myself to the team, and with the support of Laurent and everyone in Milton Keynes, I’ve been able to justify the faith placed in me. Every day I aim to listen, learn and push my limits further," he said.
During the drivers’ press conference in Baku, Hadjar admitted he was completely relaxed about the contract talks, even saying he wasn’t aware of the length of the new deal. "I let my people handle the negotiations. I focus on the track, and that’s it. It was a very easy process," he explained when asked if the agreement covered multiple years.
"I don’t really know the details, but if you perform well, you stay." He also spoke candidly about his wrist injury. The 21‑year‑old described a small fracture on the outside of his wrist that required a lengthy, non‑surgical recovery.
"It’s still painful, but after about six weeks the bone is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing. I tested the simulator and it felt almost identical to the cockpit, so I’m confident the car will be fine," Hadjar said. He added that the rehabilitation period was monotonous, as he could do little with his left arm. The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, a component of his fitness program.
Red Bull has not imposed any new restrictions on his training, though Hadjar said he will be more cautious in the future. "Next time I’ll think twice, maybe strap my wrist. I’m not a child, so I just need to be smarter about it," he remarked.
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 the Cadillac‑backed entry have already secured their 2027 drivers, while Audi plans to keep Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg together.
The only slots still open belong to Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin. Aston Martin’s situation hinges on Fernando Alonso’s decision. The two‑time champion is contemplating his future, and his potential retirement could free up a seat for a newcomer.
Alonso has hinted that a decision won’t come soon, expressing dissatisfaction with the current regulations and prompting FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to comment on the need to accelerate the development of Aston Martin’s new Honda power unit. At Haas, British youngster Oliver Bearman is expected to remain, but his teammate Esteban Ocon may be displaced.
The team is rumored to be offering a debut to Ferrari junior Rafael Camara for 2027 after his impressive Formula 2 performances. Meanwhile, Red Bull continues to nurture its junior talent pipeline. The current Formula 2 championship leader, Nikola Tsolov, is a Red Bull junior, and the organization has a history of promoting promising drivers to F1 as soon as possible. Red Bull also faces a delicate decision regarding its current Racing Bulls drivers, Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, both of whom have delivered strong results this year.
Dropping either would be a tough call, given their contributions to the team’s success. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is packed with action. The schedule includes multiple Formula 2 sessions, practice runs, qualifying, and the main race, all of which will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event.
Fans can follow the excitement from Thursday, September 24, through Saturday, September 26, with live coverage of the Grand Prix itself slated for midday on Saturday. The race will be available on Sky Sports F1 and can also be streamed via NOW with a flexible, cancel‑anytime subscription. Overall, Isack Hadjar’s contract extension underscores Red Bull’s belief in his talent and the stability of its driver lineup heading into the 2027 season.
With a healthy teammate beside Verstappen and a clear path forward, the team is poised to continue its dominance in the sport while nurturing the next generation of racing stars.