Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside Max Verstappen as the team's second driver for the 2027 Formula One campaign. The French youngster, who joined the squad at the beginning of the current season after a standout rookie year with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the last three rounds because of a wrist injury sustained during a summer training session. He is now declared fit and will take part in the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, scheduled for Saturday and broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The announcement comes shortly after Red Bull revealed that four‑time world champion Max Verstappen has extended his contract to remain with the team until at least the end of 2030.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar, saying, "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Isack. Since he arrived at the start of the year he has been outstanding both on the track and in the garage, especially given that this is only his second season in Formula 1.
Extending his deal was therefore a straightforward decision." Mekies added that Hadjar immersed himself in the technical side of the operation, spending countless hours at the Milton Keynes factory working with his engineers to develop the car, always eager to absorb new knowledge and improve his performance. Mekies recalled Hadjar's debut weekend in Melbourne, noting the young driver handled the step up to a top‑tier car with remarkable composure and quickly earned his place in the seat.
The second seat at Red Bull is widely regarded as the most demanding on the grid, having seen former teammates such as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda all struggle to match Verstappen's pace. Yet Hadjar has consistently been closer to the Dutch champion than many of his predecessors, even out‑qualifying or out‑performing his teammate on several occasions this year, which has helped to insulate his position from criticism.
Despite his three‑race absence, 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 originally stripped Pierre Gasly of his result. Mekies commented on the difficulty of Hadjar's rehabilitation period, describing the contract extension as a clear signal of the team's confidence in his abilities and potential. "We still have many goals for this season, but it is reassuring to know that the drivers, engineers and everyone back at the factory are moving in the same direction, fully committed and united," he said.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained that Hadjar's injury was caused by a heavy‑bag workout used in his boxing training routine, which resulted in a fracture to the wrist and forearm. Slater noted that while Lawson performed admirably as a stand‑in, there was little surprise when Red Bull confirmed Hadjar's continuation, calling him "perhaps the most competitive teammate Verstappen has had since Daniel Ricciardo left the team." Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about staying with Oracle Red Bull Racing, stating, "I joined the team eight months ago and immediately grasped the scale and ambition of the operation. There are countless talented people at the factory, and driving for such an incredible organisation alongside a four‑time world champion is a privilege I do not take lightly.
From day one I have been dedicated to earning the trust placed in me, and with the support of Laurent and the whole Milton Keynes crew I have been able to justify that faith. Every day I aim to listen, learn and push myself further for what lies ahead." He added that he felt completely relaxed during the contract talks, leaving the negotiations to his representatives and focusing solely on his performance on the track.
When asked about the length of the new deal, Hadjar admitted he was unsure of the exact term, replying, "I don't really know, and I don't worry about it. If you're good, you stay, and that's it." He also spoke candidly about his wrist injury, describing it as a small fracture that required no surgery but demanded a careful, natural healing process. "It will stay painful for a while, but after about six weeks the bone is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing.
I tested the simulator and it felt almost identical to the cockpit, so with the adrenaline of an actual race I feel confident I can perform well," he said. Hadjar's rehabilitation involved limited use of his left arm, making training sessions feel monotonous, but he remains optimistic. He confirmed that Red Bull has not imposed any new restrictions on his fitness regime, though he acknowledged he will be more cautious in the future, especially when incorporating boxing into his routine.
"Next time I'll be more careful, maybe strap my wrist, but there are no bans. I'm not a child; I just need to think twice before pushing too hard," he explained. The broader driver market for 2027 is largely settled among the sport's top four teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull—all of which have locked in their line‑ups. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have also confirmed their drivers, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg.
The remaining teams—Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin—still have open seats, with potential movement expected. Fernando Alonso's future remains uncertain; his decision to stay or retire could open a coveted seat at Aston Martin. Meanwhile, Haas is likely to keep Oliver Bearman, but teammate Esteban Ocon may be replaced by Ferrari junior Rafael Câmara, who impressed in Formula 2. Red Bull, meanwhile, faces a delicate choice between promoting its current Racing Bulls drivers Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, both of whom have delivered strong performances this season.
The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend will feature a packed schedule, including F2 practice and qualifying sessions, a team bosses' press conference, and multiple F1 sessions culminating in the main race on Saturday. All events will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, with the option to watch via NOW without a long‑term contract.