Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside four‑time world champion Max Verstappen as his teammate for the 2027 Formula 1 campaign. The French driver, who joined the team at the beginning 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 training session last month.
Now fully recovered, Hadjar returned to competition at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held this weekend and broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The announcement follows Red Bull's earlier confirmation that Verstappen has extended his contract to remain with the outfit until at least the close of the 2030 season. Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s integration into the squad, noting that the young driver has shown professionalism both on and off the track despite it being only his second year in Formula 1. "From day one, Isack threw himself into the project, spending countless hours in the factory with his engineers, absorbing data and constantly looking for ways to improve the car," Mekies said.
"His composure during his debut weekend in Melbourne was remarkable, and it quickly became clear that he deserved his place in the seat." The second seat at Red Bull has long been considered 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 already demonstrated that he can compete closely with the Dutch driver, even out‑performing him on several occasions this season, which has helped to quiet any doubts about his suitability for the role. Even after missing the last three races, Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers’ Championship and reclaimed a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed a penalty that had initially stripped Pierre Gasly of his result.
Mekies emphasized that the injury period was a challenging time for the Frenchman, but the contract extension underscores the team’s confidence in his abilities and future potential. "We have a clear vision for the upcoming years, and it’s reassuring to know that our drivers, engineers and factory staff are all aligned and committed to the same objectives," Mekies added. Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained the circumstances of Hadjar’s injury, noting that the driver suffered the wrist damage while striking a heavy punching bag during a boxing workout, a routine part of his fitness regime. Slater highlighted that Hadjar’s recovery has been swift and that his substitute, Liam Lawson, performed admirably in his absence, yet there was little surprise when Red Bull confirmed Hadjar’s continuation.
"He has been Verstappen’s most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left the team," Slater remarked. Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about staying with Oracle Red Bull Racing, recalling his arrival eight months ago and the immediate impression of the team’s ambition and scale. "Driving for such an extraordinary organization alongside a four‑time world champion is a privilege I never take for granted," he said. "From the moment I signed, I committed myself to listening, learning and pushing my limits every day, and the support from Laurent and the entire Milton Keynes operation has allowed me to justify the faith they placed in me." During the post‑race press conference in Baku, Hadjar admitted he had been completely relaxed about the contract talks, even stating that he was unaware of the length of the new deal.
"I let my people handle the negotiations," he explained. "I focus on the track, and that’s it. The process was straightforward for me." When asked whether the agreement covered multiple years, Hadjar responded with characteristic nonchalance: "I don’t really know the exact term, and honestly I don’t mind. If you perform well, you stay, and that’s all that matters." He also gave an update on his wrist injury, describing it as a small fracture outside the joint that required no surgery but a lengthy natural healing process.
"It’s still a bit painful, but after about six weeks it’s strong enough to handle the stresses of racing," Hadjar said. He added that testing on the simulator had gone well and that the simulated environment feels almost identical to the real cockpit, giving him confidence that he can return to full performance once back on track.
Hadjar’s injury occurred during a routine boxing session, and while Red Bull has not imposed any new restrictions on his training, he acknowledged the need to be more cautious in the future. "Next time I’ll think twice and maybe strap my wrist a bit better," he laughed. "I’m not a child; I just need to be smarter about it." The driver line‑ups for the sport’s top four teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull—are now locked in for 2027, with no changes expected. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have also secured their drivers through the next season, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg.
The remaining teams—Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin—still have decisions to make. Fernando Alonso’s future remains uncertain; his potential retirement could open a seat at Aston Martin. Meanwhile, Haas is expected to keep Britain’s Oliver Bearman, but teammate Esteban Ocon may be displaced as the team looks to promote Ferrari junior Rafael Camara after his impressive Formula 2 campaign. Red Bull continues to monitor its junior programme, with Nikola Tsolov leading the F2 standings and the team historically quick to promote promising talent.
Red Bull also faces a delicate situation with its current Racing Bulls drivers, Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, both delivering strong performances this year. Choosing to drop one would be a tough call for the organization. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend features a packed schedule, including multiple F2 sessions and the main Formula 1 race, all available live on Sky Sports Main Event. Fans can stream the coverage via NOW, with flexible subscription options and the ability to cancel at any time.
The event marks the continuation of the 2026 Formula 1 season, offering a thrilling triple‑header of races that will showcase Hadjar’s return to the grid and his renewed partnership with Verstappen for the seasons ahead.