Red Bull has officially announced that Isack Hadjar will stay on as Max Verstappen's teammate for the 2027 Formula 1 campaign. The French driver, who was promoted to the senior squad at the beginning of the current season after a standout rookie year with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the final three rounds due to a wrist injury sustained during a summer training session. He is now declared fit and will line up for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The confirmation comes just weeks after Red Bull revealed that four‑time world champion Max Verstappen has extended his deal with the team until at least the close of 2030.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s rapid integration, saying, "From day one Isack threw himself into the operation, spending countless hours in the factory alongside his engineers, absorbing data and contributing to car development. His composure during his debut weekend in Melbourne was extraordinary for a driver in only his second full season, making the decision to lock him in for another year straightforward." The second seat at Red Bull is widely regarded as the most demanding on the grid.
Former occupants such as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have all struggled to match Verstappen’s pace. Hadjar, however, has consistently been closer to the Dutchman than many of his predecessors and has even out‑performed him on a few occasions this year, shielding his position from the usual scrutiny. Despite his three‑race absence, Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers’ Championship and reclaimed a podium finish at Monaco after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed a penalty imposed on Gasly.
Mekies added, "The period after his injury has been challenging for Isack, but this contract extension underscores the confidence we have in his talent. We’re eager to see him back at full speed and to continue building momentum as a team." Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater noted, "Hadjar’s wrist injury came from a heavy‑bag workout – he does boxing as part of his fitness regime – but he’s recovered and will be back on the grid this weekend. Liam Lawson filled in admirably, yet no one was surprised that Red Bull chose to keep Hadjar.
He’s arguably Verstappen’s most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure." Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about staying with Oracle Red Bull Racing, stating, "Joining the team eight months ago, I instantly grasped the scale and ambition of the operation. The factory is filled with exceptional talent, and it’s a privilege to race alongside a four‑time champion like Max. From the moment I signed, I committed myself to earning the trust placed in me. With the support of Laurent and the whole Milton Keynes crew, I’ve been able to justify that faith and I’m constantly seeking to learn, listen and push my limits every day." When questioned at the Baku Drivers’ Press Conference, Hadjar said he felt completely relaxed about the renewal talks, even admitting he was unsure of the contract length.
"I let my management handle the negotiations," he said. "I focus on the track, and the rest follows.
If you perform well, you stay – it’s that simple." He also provided an update on his wrist condition. "I have a small fracture on the outside of the wrist.
It’s a long healing process but didn’t require surgery, so it’s healing naturally. It will stay sore for a while, but after about six weeks it’s strong enough to handle the loads. The simulator test went well – the environment is almost identical to the cockpit, so if it feels right on the sim, I’m confident it will translate to the track.
The training sessions have been dull because I can’t use my left arm much, but I’m eager to get back to full fitness." The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, and Hadjar confirmed that Red Bull has not imposed any new restrictions on his training regimen, though he admitted he will be more cautious moving forward. "Next time I’ll think twice, maybe strap the wrist, but there are no bans – I’m not a child. I just need to be smarter about it," he said.
With Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren all having locked in their driver line‑ups through 2027, the remaining teams are still shaping their rosters. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have secured their 2027 drivers, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg.
The only outfits yet to finalize their line‑ups are Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin. Aston Martin’s seat could open if Fernando Alonso decides to retire, a scenario that would create a high‑profile vacancy. Alonso has hinted that his decision will not come soon, citing dissatisfaction with current regulations and the ongoing discussions about Honda’s engine supply to the team. At Haas, Britain’s Oliver Bearman is expected to remain, but his teammate Esteban Ocon may be displaced as the team contemplates promoting Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, who impressed in Formula 2.
Red Bull’s junior program also has a candidate in Nikola Tsolov, the current F2 championship leader, and the team faces a delicate choice between promoting Arvid Lindblad or Liam Lawson, both of whom have delivered strong performances this season. The weekend schedule includes multiple support series.
On Thursday, September 24, F2 practice begins at 9:30 am, followed by qualifying and a team bosses’ press conference. Friday features the F2 sprint, the third F1 practice session, and the F2 feature race before the F1 qualifying session at 1 pm.
Saturday’s program includes the second F2 feature race, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix start at noon, and post‑race analysis. All sessions will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, with the main race also available via NOW streaming without a contract.