Red Bull’s young French driver, Isack Hadjar, is poised to get back behind the wheel at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix following a three‑race absence caused by a wrist injury sustained during his off‑season fitness routine. The 21‑year‑old, who has been sharing the team’s second seat with reigning champion Max Verstappen since his debut, missed the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds after injuring his wrist in August, when the Formula 1 calendar was on its summer hiatus. Hadjar’s return will be marked during the Thursday practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit, a weekend that has been shifted forward by a day to avoid overlapping with Azerbaijan’s national Remembrance Day commemorations. In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Oracle Red Bull Racing expressed enthusiasm about the Frenchman’s recovery: "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." During Hadjar’s time away, Liam Lawson was elevated from the Racing Bulls programme to fill the vacant seat at Red Bull, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into the junior squad’s lineup. Red Bull praised Lawson’s performance, noting that he stepped in under "challenging circumstances" and delivered "impressive performances" that contributed significantly to the team’s points tally. The team also extended gratitude to Tsunoda for his efforts, acknowledging that his contributions helped maintain the squad’s competitiveness throughout the three‑race stretch.
Hadjar’s early season with Red Bull had already shown promise. He secured a podium finish in Monaco, demonstrating his speed and race‑craft on a demanding street circuit. Prior to his injury, he was eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing Verstappen by 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race before the summer break. The injury not only halted his momentum but also widened the gap to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, expanding the deficit from 23 points to 49 points at the time of his withdrawal.
Now, with his wrist fully healed, Hadjar faces a steep climb back up the standings. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is the opening round of a three‑race swing that will continue with events in Malaysia and Singapore over the next two weekends.
This triple‑header presents a crucial opportunity for Hadjar to reclaim lost ground, especially as the championship battle tightens. The weekend schedule is packed with action. On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers’ press conference will take place at 11 a.m., followed by the Paddock Uncut at 2 p.m. Thursday’s agenda includes an early F2 practice at 6:55 a.m., the first F1 practice session at 9 a.m.
(with the official start at 9:30 a.m.), and the second practice at 12:30 p.m. (starting at 1 p.m.). The day also features a team bosses’ press conference and the popular "The F1 Show" at 2:15 p.m. Friday, September 25, will see the F2 sprint at 5:10 a.m., followed by the third F1 practice session at 9:15 a.m.
(again beginning at 9:30 a.m.), the F2 feature race, and the build‑up to qualifying. The actual qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is slated for 1 p.m., with post‑qualifying analysis provided by "Ted’s Qualifying Notebook" at 3 p.m.
Saturday’s race day begins with the second F2 feature race at 7:55 a.m., leading into the Grand Prix build‑up at 10:30 a.m. The main event, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, kicks off at noon, with the chequered flag and subsequent reaction coverage scheduled for 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively. All sessions will also be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, ensuring fans worldwide can follow the action.
Beyond the on‑track schedule, the weekend carries additional narrative threads. George Russell’s recent "Grand Slam" victory in Baku sparked debate about whether Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton might be returning to full form, while Kimi Antonelli’s performance raised questions about his confidence after a cautious drive that he described as "driving like his grandma." Meanwhile, Alpine issued a statement condemning online abuse directed at driver Franco Colapinto following a three‑car collision involving Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris. For Hadjar, the key focus will be to re‑establish his rhythm after a month away from competitive racing.
The Baku circuit, known for its long straightaways and tight, twisty sections, demands both raw speed and precise car control—attributes Hadjar has shown in abundance during his rookie season. A strong showing could not only narrow the points gap to Verstappen and Piastri but also reaffirm Red Bull’s confidence in their emerging talent.
The Racing Bulls team also highlighted the importance of continuity, noting that Lawson will return to his VCARB duties in Baku now that Hadjar is back, while Tsunoda will resume his reserve role for both the senior and junior squads. Their statement read: "Liam returns to VCARB this weekend in Baku, with Isack having made a full recovery from his wrist injury.
A huge thank you to Yuki for stepping in over the past three races, giving everything for the team and scoring some very valuable points." In summary, Isack Hadjar’s comeback at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix represents a pivotal moment in his inaugural Red Bull campaign. After a promising start that was interrupted by injury, he now has the chance to demonstrate resilience, regain lost points, and continue his development alongside one of the sport’s most dominant drivers. The upcoming race weekend, with its dense schedule and high‑stakes triple‑header, will test his fitness, mental fortitude, and adaptability—qualities that will define his trajectory for the remainder of the 2026 Formula 1 season.