Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside four‑time world champion Max Verstappen for the 2027 Formula One campaign. The French driver, who joined the team at the start of the current season after a standout debut with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the final three Grands Prix due to a wrist injury sustained during a summer training session. He is now cleared to race and will line up for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The announcement follows Red Bull's earlier news that Verstappen has extended his contract to remain with the squad until at least the end of 2030.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar, saying, "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Isack. Since his arrival at the beginning of the year he has impressed both on‑track and off‑track, especially considering this is only his second season in Formula One. Extending his deal was therefore an easy decision." Mekies added that Hadjar quickly immersed himself in the team's technical environment, spending countless hours in the Milton Keynes factory working side‑by‑side with his engineers.
"From day one in Melbourne you could see his composure and his ability to adapt to the step up to a championship‑winning car," Mekies noted. "He earned his place in the seat through hard work and a genuine desire to learn." The second Red Bull seat has a reputation for being 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.
Hadjar, however, has shown he can compete closely with the Dutch driver and has even out‑performed him on a few occasions this season, reducing the scrutiny that typically surrounds the role. Despite missing the last three 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 remarked, "The period after his injury was challenging for Isack, but this contract extension underlines the confidence we have in his talent. We look forward to seeing him back at full speed on the track." Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained, "Hadjar was out for three rounds because he injured his arm and wrist while hitting a heavy bag in his boxing‑based fitness routine.
He has recovered and will be Verstappen's teammate in 2027. Liam Lawson filled in admirably, but there was never any doubt that Hadjar would retain the seat. He has been Verstappen's most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left the team." Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about the extension: "I am extremely excited to continue with Oracle Red Bull Racing.
I joined eight months ago and immediately grasped the scale and ambition of this organisation. The talent here is incredible, and driving alongside a four‑time champion like Max is a privilege.
From the moment I signed, I committed myself to the team, and with the support of Laurent and everyone in Milton Keynes, I have been able to justify the faith placed in me. Every day I aim to listen, learn and push my limits further." During the post‑qualifying press conference in Baku, Hadjar said he had taken a relaxed approach to the contract talks, even admitting he was unaware of the exact length of the deal. "I let my management handle the negotiations. I focus on the racing and let the paperwork be dealt with," he explained.
When asked if the agreement covered multiple years, he replied, "I don't know the exact term, but if you're good you stay, and that's it." He also gave details on his wrist injury, describing it as a small fracture outside the joint that required no surgery but a lengthy natural healing process. "It will be painful for a while, but after about six weeks it feels strong enough to handle the forces in the car," Hadjar said. He added that simulator work had gone well and that the virtual environment closely replicates the physical demands of the cockpit, giving him confidence ahead of his return.
The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, a component of his fitness regime. Red Bull has not imposed any new restrictions on his training, though Hadjar conceded he will be more cautious in the future: "Next time I'll think twice, maybe strap my wrist, but there are no formal limits. I'm not a child; I just need to be smarter about it." Looking ahead, the top four teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull—have all locked in their driver line‑ups for 2027. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have also confirmed their rosters, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg.
The remaining teams—Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin—still have open seats, and the market could see significant movement. Fernando Alonso remains a wildcard; his decision to stay or retire will affect Aston Martin's driver slot. Meanwhile, Haas is expected to keep Oliver Bearman but may replace Esteban Ocon with Ferrari junior Rafael Camara for 2027 after Camara's strong Formula 2 performances. Red Bull continues to nurture young talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the F2 championship and the team weighing options between its current Racing Bulls drivers, Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, both of whom have delivered solid results this year.
The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend will feature a packed schedule, including F2 practice, qualifying and races, as well as the F1 qualifying session and the main Grand Prix itself. All events will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event and can be accessed via NOW with a flexible, cancel‑anytime subscription. In summary, Isack Hadjar's contract extension cements his place at the pinnacle of motorsport, providing continuity for Red Bull and offering the young Frenchman a platform to develop further alongside one of the sport's greatest champions. The next few months will be crucial as he regains full fitness, aims to improve his championship standing, and prepares for a long‑term partnership that could shape the future of Formula One.