Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will continue as Max Verstappen's teammate for the 2027 Formula 1 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 last three Grand Prix due to a wrist injury sustained during a summer training session. Now fully recovered, Hadjar returned to the grid for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
The announcement comes on the heels of Red Bull's earlier confirmation that four‑time world champion Max Verstappen has extended his contract until at least the end of 2030. Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar, saying, "From day one, Isack has been exemplary both on‑track and off‑track.
Considering this is only his second season in Formula 1, extending his deal was an easy decision for us. He immersed himself in the team, spending countless hours in the factory with his engineers, always eager to develop the car and improve his performance. His composure during his debut weekend in Melbourne showed he belonged in this seat." The second seat at Red Bull has long been viewed as the most demanding on the grid.
Former drivers such as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda all found it difficult to match Verstappen's pace. Hadjar, however, has demonstrated a closer performance gap to the Dutchman and even out‑performed him on several occasions this season, keeping his position under minimal 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 that had initially stripped Pierre Gasly of his result. Mekies added, "The period after his injury was challenging for Isack, but this contract extension underscores our belief in his talent. We look forward to seeing him back on track and contributing to our goals this season. The whole team—from drivers to engineers—is aligned and committed to moving forward together." Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater noted, "Hadjar missed the last three rounds after injuring his arm and wrist while hitting a heavy bag during his boxing training.
He's now fit, will race this weekend, and will partner Verstappen in 2027. Liam Lawson filled in admirably, but no one was surprised that Red Bull chose to retain Hadjar. He's arguably Verstappen's most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo departed." Hadjar expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I'm thrilled to stay with Oracle Red Bull Racing. I joined eight months ago and instantly grasped the scale and ambition of this organization.
The talent in the factory is immense, 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've been able to justify the confidence placed in me. Every day I aim to listen, learn and push my limits further." During the drivers' press conference in Baku, Hadjar revealed that contract talks were low‑key for him. "I didn't even discuss it.
I let my representatives handle it," he said. "I focus on the track, and that's it. It was straightforward." When asked about the length of the deal, he replied candidly, "I actually don't know.
I don't care. If you're good, you stay. That's all." Hadjar also opened up about his wrist injury, describing it as a small fracture outside the wrist that required a lengthy, non‑surgical recovery.
"It will be painful for a while, but after about six weeks the bone is strong enough to handle the stresses," he explained. He added that his simulator sessions went well, noting the similarity between the virtual environment and the actual cockpit, and that the adrenaline of racing should compensate for any lingering discomfort. The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout. Red Bull has not imposed new restrictions on his training regimen, though Hadjar admitted he will be more cautious moving forward.
"Next time I'll be more careful, maybe strap my wrist. No restrictions, I'm not a child; I just need to think twice before hitting the bag hard again," he said.
Looking beyond Red Bull, 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 secured their drivers, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg. The remaining teams—Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin—still have open seats, and potential changes loom.
Aston Martin's future may hinge on Fernando Alonso's decision. If the two‑time champion chooses to retire, a seat could open for a new driver. Alonso has hinted that a decision is not imminent, expressing dissatisfaction with the current regulations and prompting FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to comment on accelerating the resolution of Aston Martin's engine supply issues with Honda. In the midfield, Britain's Oliver Bearman is expected to stay at Haas, but his teammate Esteban Ocon could be displaced as Haas reportedly plans to give Ferrari junior Rafael Camara his Formula 1 debut in 2027 after a strong Formula 2 campaign.
Red Bull's junior program also features Nikola Tsolov, the current F2 championship leader, who may be fast‑tracked into a race seat, though the team faces a delicate decision regarding its existing Racing Bulls drivers, Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, both of whom have performed admirably this year. The weekend schedule for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix includes multiple practice sessions, qualifying, and the race itself, with additional F2 events running alongside the main program.
All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and can be streamed via NOW, offering fans flexible viewing options. Overall, Hadjar's contract extension cements his role as a key component of Red Bull's long‑term strategy, providing continuity alongside Verstappen and reinforcing the team's commitment to nurturing young talent while maintaining its competitive edge at the pinnacle of motorsport.