Isack Hadjar, the 21‑year‑old French driver who has spent his rookie year as Max Verstappen's teammate at Oracle Red Bull Racing, is poised to make his return to the Formula 1 grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The young talent missed the previous three rounds – the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix – after sustaining a wrist injury during a fitness session in the summer break of August. His convalescence has now progressed well enough for him to re‑enter the car for the Thursday practice sessions, marking his first appearance behind the wheel since the injury forced him out of competition.
Hadjar's debut season with Red Bull has been respectable, highlighted by a podium finish in Monaco and a steady accumulation of points that kept him in the upper half of the Drivers' Championship. Prior to his injury, he was sitting eighth overall and was only 38 points behind Verstappen after the Hungarian Grand Prix, the last race before the summer hiatus. The missed races have widened that gap, leaving him 74 points adrift of the Dutch champion and increasing his deficit to McLaren's Oscar Piastri from 23 to 49 points. The team released an official statement on Tuesday morning expressing enthusiasm about his 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 announcement underscores the confidence Red Bull has in Hadjar's health and his ability to contribute to the squad once again. During Hadjar's absence, Red Bull's junior outfit, Racing Bulls, promoted Liam Lawson from the main Racing Bulls line‑up to fill the vacant seat. Lawson performed admirably under pressure, delivering solid results and earning praise from the team for his professionalism and dedication. In parallel, reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into the Red Bull Racing seat for the three races, providing valuable points and experience.
Both drivers received heartfelt thanks from the organization. Red Bull noted, "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 team also expressed gratitude to Tsunoda, stating that his effort over the past three events was instrumental and that he will resume his reserve duties for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself is the opening round of a three‑race swing that will continue with events in Malaysia and Singapore over the following two weekends. The Baku weekend has been slightly reshuffled to avoid clashing with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day, moving the schedule a day earlier. The official timetable includes: - Wednesday, 23 September: Drivers' press conference at 11:00 am.
- Thursday, 24 September: F2 practice at 6:55 am, Azerbaijan GP Practice One at 9:30 am, F2 qualifying at 10:55 am, Team bosses' press conference at 12:00 pm, Practice Two at 1:00 pm, and The F1 Show at 2:15 pm. - Friday, 25 September: F2 sprint at 5:10 am, Practice Three 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, Chequered Flag reaction at 2:00 pm, and Ted's Notebook at 3:00 pm. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with additional streaming options available via NOW, offering a contract‑free, cancel‑anytime viewing experience.
Hadjar's return is significant not only for his personal championship aspirations but also for Red Bull's broader strategic plans. The team relies on having both drivers available to maximize points in the Constructors' Championship, especially as the season enters a critical phase with back‑to‑back races in Asia. Moreover, his presence restores the dynamic of a full‑strength driver lineup, allowing the engineers to gather comprehensive data from both cars during practice and qualifying.
Beyond the immediate race weekend, Hadjar's comeback underscores the importance of driver fitness and injury management in modern Formula 1. Wrist injuries can be particularly troublesome given the high‑precision steering inputs required at the limit of grip. Hadjar's rehabilitation program, which combined physiotherapy, strength conditioning, and gradual on‑track testing, appears to have been successful, enabling him to resume competitive duties without compromising safety. Fans and commentators have expressed optimism about his performance in Baku.
The street circuit, known for its long straightaways and tight, technical sections, rewards drivers who can balance outright speed with precise car control. Hadjar's prior experience on the track, including his strong showing in the previous year's race, suggests he could be a contender for points, especially if the race unfolds with the usual mix of safety‑car periods and strategic pit stops. In summary, Isack Hadjar will be back in the Red Bull cockpit at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a three‑race hiatus caused by a wrist injury. The team has praised the contributions of his temporary replacements, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, and looks forward to leveraging Hadjar's talent as the championship enters its decisive Asian leg.
The weekend promises intense on‑track action, a packed schedule of supporting series, and comprehensive coverage for viewers worldwide.