Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside four‑time world champion Max Verstappen as the team’s second driver for the 2027 Formula 1 campaign. The French teenager, who joined the squad at the beginning of the 2025 season after a standout year with Racing Bulls, missed the final three rounds of the current championship due to a wrist injury sustained during a summer training session. He is now declared medically fit and will return to competition at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
The announcement comes on the heels of Red Bull’s earlier declaration that Verstappen has signed a fresh contract extending his stay at the team until at least the end of 2030. Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s rapid integration and performance, noting that the young driver has shown professionalism both on and off the track despite it being only his second full season in Formula 1. "From day one, Isack threw himself into the project, spending countless hours in the factory with his engineers, absorbing data and offering feedback to develop the car," Mekies said.
"His composure during the opening weekend in Melbourne was remarkable, and he quickly earned his place in the cockpit." 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 found it difficult to match Verstappen’s pace.
Hadjar, however, has consistently been closer to the Dutch driver than many of his predecessors and has even out‑performed Verstappen on a few occasions this season, which has helped to silence any doubts about his suitability for the role. Even with three missed races, Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers’ Championship and reclaimed a podium finish at Monaco after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed a penalty that had originally stripped Pierre Gasly of his result. Mekies emphasized that the injury period was challenging for the Frenchman, but the contract extension demonstrates the team’s confidence in his long‑term potential.
"We have a clear vision for the future, and it’s encouraging to see the whole operation – drivers, engineers and factory staff – aligned and motivated," he added. Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater highlighted that Hadjar’s absence was caused by a wrist and forearm injury sustained while striking a heavy punching bag during his boxing‑based fitness routine. "He’s recovered, he’ll be back on the grid this weekend, and he’ll partner Verstappen in 2027. Liam Lawson filled in admirably, but no one was surprised that Red Bull kept Hadjar," Slater remarked.
"He’s arguably been Verstappen’s toughest teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left the team." Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about staying with Oracle Red Bull Racing. "When I arrived eight months ago, I immediately grasped the scale and ambition of this organization.
The talent pool at the factory is extraordinary, and driving alongside a four‑time champion is a privilege I cherish," he said. "From the moment I signed, I committed myself to the team, and with the support of Laurent and everyone in Milton Keynes, I’ve been able to validate the faith placed in me. Every day I aim to listen, learn and push my limits further." During the drivers’ press conference in Baku, Hadjar admitted that contract talks were low‑key for him. "I let my people handle the negotiations.
I focus on the racing and let the results speak," he explained. When asked whether the deal covered multiple years, he replied, "I’m not sure of the exact length, but if you perform, you stay." He also provided details about his wrist injury, describing it as a small fracture that required no surgery but a lengthy natural healing process.
"It’s still painful, but after six weeks the bone is strong enough to handle the stresses of driving. The simulator sessions have gone well, and the environment feels almost identical to the cockpit, so I’m confident I’ll be fine on track," Hadjar said. He added that the rehabilitation period was monotonous, as he was unable to use his left arm for most training activities.
The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, a discipline Hadjar uses to maintain fitness. Red Bull imposed no new restrictions on his training regimen, though he acknowledged he will be more cautious in the future. "Next time I’ll think twice and maybe strap my wrist, but there are no formal limits – I’m not a child," he laughed. With Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren all having confirmed their driver line‑ups for 2027, the remaining teams are still shaping their rosters.
Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have already secured their 2027 drivers, while Audi plans to keep Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg together. The open spots now belong to Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin.
Aston Martin’s situation hinges on Fernando Alonso’s decision. If the two‑time champion chooses to retire, a coveted seat will become available. Alonso has hinted that a decision will not 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, Britain’s Oliver Bearman is expected to remain, while teammate Esteban Ocon may lose his drive if the team opts to promote Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, who impressed during his Formula 2 campaign.
Red Bull’s junior program continues to nurture talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the F2 championship and likely earmarked for a future F1 seat. However, Red Bull faces a delicate decision regarding its current Racing Bulls drivers, Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, both of whom have delivered strong performances this year.
The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend features a packed schedule of support series, including multiple F2 practice sessions, qualifying, sprint and feature races, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event. The event marks the continuation of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with the Baku race slated for Saturday midday. Viewers can stream Sky Sports via NOW with a flexible, cancel‑anytime subscription.