Isack Hadjar, the young French driver who shares Red Bull's top‑tier car with Max Verstappen, is slated to get back behind the wheel at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing three consecutive rounds due to a wrist problem. The 21‑year‑old had been sidelined for the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix after injuring his wrist during a fitness session over the summer break in August.
His recovery has now progressed sufficiently for him to re‑join the team for the Thursday practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit, as the race weekend has been shifted a day earlier to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day. In a statement issued on Tuesday morning, Oracle Red Bull Racing expressed enthusiasm about Hadjar's return: "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 confirmed that he will be cleared to take part in both free‑practice sessions before the qualifying and race on Saturday.
During Hadjar's absence, Liam Lawson was elevated from the Racing Bulls squad to fill the vacant Red Bull seat, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into Lawson's former position at the junior team. Red Bull issued a note of gratitude to Lawson, stating: "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 commended Tsunoda for his efforts, acknowledging the points he earned for the junior outfit and confirming his return to a reserve role for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls. Hadjar's early season had been promising. He secured a podium finish in Monaco, demonstrating that he could contend with the sport's elite. Prior to his injury, he sat eighth in the Drivers' Championship, trailing Verstappen by 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix, the last race before the summer hiatus.
The time away has widened that gap to 74 points, and his deficit to McLaren's Oscar Piastri has grown from 23 to 49 points. Despite the setback, the Frenchman remains optimistic and eager to regain momentum in the tightly contested championship battle. The Azerbaijan event marks the opening leg of a three‑race swing that will continue with Grands Prix in Malaysia and Singapore over the next two weekends.
The schedule is packed, beginning with a drivers' press conference on Wednesday, September 23, followed by a series of Formula 2 support races and two F1 practice sessions on Thursday, September 24. Qualifying is set for early afternoon on Friday, September 25, with the main race slated for midday on Saturday, September 26. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and streamed via NOW, offering fans a contract‑free way to watch the action.
Hadjar's return is also significant for Red Bull's strategic planning. The team relies on a stable driver lineup to maximize points in both the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships. By getting Hadjar back on track quickly, they aim to preserve the momentum built earlier in the season and keep pressure on rivals such as Mercedes, Ferrari and Alpine.
The young Frenchman's adaptability and composure under pressure have already earned him praise from team principal Christian Horner, who highlighted his ability to learn quickly and deliver consistent lap times. Beyond the immediate race weekend, Hadjar's comeback underscores the broader challenges of driver health in modern Formula 1. The sport's rigorous physical demands mean that even a relatively minor injury can sideline a competitor for multiple events, affecting not only the driver’s personal championship hopes but also the team's overall points haul.
Red Bull's medical and performance staff have worked closely with Hadjar to ensure a safe and effective rehabilitation program, combining physiotherapy, strength conditioning and simulated driving to restore his confidence behind the wheel. Fans can look forward to seeing Hadjar back in his distinctive Red Bull livery, competing alongside Verstappen on the narrow, high‑speed streets of Baku. The circuit's long straights and tight corners provide a unique test of both car performance and driver skill, and many analysts expect Hadjar to showcase the pace he displayed before his injury, especially in the qualifying session where a strong grid position could be crucial for a solid points finish. In summary, Isack Hadjar's return to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks a pivotal moment in his rookie campaign.
After a wrist injury forced him out of three races, he is now cleared to participate in practice, qualifying and the race itself. Red Bull has expressed confidence in his recovery, while also acknowledging the valuable contributions of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda during his absence. With the championship battle intensifying and a triple‑header of races ahead, Hadjar will be eager to close the points gap to his teammates and rivals, making the upcoming weekend a key test of his resilience and talent.