Isack Hadjar, the young French driver who has been sharing the Red Bull garage with Max Verstappen, is slated to make his comeback at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix following a three‑race hiatus caused by a wrist injury. The 21‑year‑old sustained the injury while completing a fitness routine during the summer break in August, which forced him to sit out the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds of the 2026 Formula One calendar. His return will be marked during the two practice sessions scheduled for Thursday at the Baku City Circuit, a weekend that has been shifted a day earlier to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day. In a statement released 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 his fitness levels are now sufficient for the demanding demands of a Formula One car. During Hadjar's absence, Liam Lawson was promoted from the Racing Bulls squad to fill the vacant Red Bull seat, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda took over Lawson's place at the junior team. Red Bull issued a note of gratitude to both stand‑ins, 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 organization also acknowledged Tsunoda's efforts, noting that his contributions helped the team secure valuable points during a period of unexpected driver changes. Hadjar's early season performance had been solid, highlighted by a podium finish in Monaco that demonstrated his speed and racecraft. Prior to his injury, he sat eighth in the Drivers' Championship, trailing McLaren's Oscar Piastri by 23 points. The missed races widened that gap to 49 points, and his deficit to team‑mate Max Verstappen grew from 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix to 74 points at the start of the Baku weekend.
Despite the setback, the Frenchman remains a key part of Red Bull's long‑term driver development plan, and his return is expected to bolster the team's depth as the championship heads into a three‑race swing that includes Malaysia and Singapore. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself is the opening round of this triple‑header, and the event schedule is packed with supporting series and media activities. On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers' press conference will take place at 11:00 am, followed by the Paddock Uncut interview at 2:00 pm.
Thursday's agenda begins with the Formula 2 practice session at 6:55 am, then the first Formula 1 practice session at 9:30 am, and the second practice at 12:30 pm. The team bosses' press conference is slotted for 12:00 pm, and the day concludes with the F1 Show at 2:15 pm. Friday, September 25, features the Formula 2 sprint race at 5:10 am, the third Formula 1 practice session at 9:30 am, and the Formula 2 feature race at 11:10 am.
Qualifying for the Grand Prix begins at 12:30 pm and runs through 1:00 pm, with the official qualifying session commencing at 1:00 pm. The day also includes a special segment called "Ted's Qualifying Notebook" at 3:00 pm. Saturday, September 26, is the main event day: the Formula 2 feature race starts at 7:55 am, followed by the Grand Prix build‑up at 10:30 am.
The race itself kicks off at 12:00 pm, with the chequered flag and post‑race reaction scheduled for 2:00 pm, and a final analysis segment "Ted's Notebook" at 3:00 pm. All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and streamed via the NOW platform, offering fans a contract‑free way to watch. Beyond the logistical details, Hadjar's return carries symbolic weight for Red Bull's driver academy. The Frenchman's resilience after injury reflects the team's emphasis on nurturing talent through adversity.
His earlier podium in Monaco proved he can extract performance from the Red Bull chassis, and his partnership with Verstappen continues to be a learning platform for both drivers. As the championship progresses into the Asian leg, Red Bull will rely on Hadjar's renewed vigor to support their bid for both the Drivers' and Constructors' titles. The broader Formula 1 narrative this weekend also includes notable storylines such as George Russell's dominant victory in Baku, which secured a "Grand Slam" (pole position, fastest lap, leading every lap, and race win) and impacted the championship battle with rookie Kimi Antonelli.
Meanwhile, Alpine has condemned online abuse directed at Franco Colapinto following a three‑car collision involving Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris, highlighting the sport's ongoing challenges with fan conduct. These surrounding events add depth to the weekend's coverage, ensuring that Hadjar's return is part of a larger, compelling tapestry of racing drama.
In summary, Isack Hadjar is set to rejoin the Red Bull lineup at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a successful rehabilitation from a wrist injury sustained during off‑season training. His comeback will be witnessed during Thursday's practice sessions, and the team has expressed confidence in his readiness to compete at the highest level. With support from stand‑in drivers Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull aims to maintain momentum as the season moves into a critical phase of back‑to‑back races in Asia. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1 and via the NOW streaming service, ensuring comprehensive access to every on‑track moment and off‑track development.