Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will stay alongside four‑time world champion Max Verstappen as the team's second driver for the 2027 Formula One season. The French youngster, who was promoted to the senior squad at the beginning of the current year after a standout rookie campaign with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the final three Grand Prix events due to a wrist injury sustained during a training session last month. He is now medically cleared and will return to competition at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
The announcement comes on the heels of Red Bull's earlier statement that 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 his arrival at the start of the season, he has performed exceptionally both on and off the track, especially considering this is only his second year in Formula One.
Extending his deal was therefore an easy decision for us." Mekies added that Hadjar immersed himself in the Red Bull operation from day one, spending countless hours in the Milton Keynes factory collaborating with engineers on car development. "He showed remarkable composure during his debut weekend in Melbourne and quickly earned his place in the cockpit," Mekies noted. The second seat at Red Bull is widely regarded as the most demanding on the grid. Former teammates 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 Dutch driver than many of his predecessors and has even out‑performed him on several occasions this season, reducing speculation about his future. Despite the injury‑related 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 originally stripped Pierre Gasly of his result. Mekies emphasized that the period following Hadjar's wrist fracture was challenging, but the contract extension underscores the team's confidence in his abilities. "We have many objectives to achieve this year, and it is reassuring to know that our drivers, engineers and factory staff are all aligned and committed to the same goal," he said.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained the nature of the injury: "Hadjar hurt his arm and wrist by hitting a heavy bag during his boxing training. He has now recovered and will race in Baku. Liam Lawson filled in admirably during his absence, but nobody was surprised that Hadjar earned the nod to stay on. He has probably been Verstappen's most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left the team." Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about remaining with Oracle Red Bull Racing: "I am really excited to continue with this team.
I joined eight months ago and immediately grasped the scale and ambition of the organisation. There are so many talented people at the factory, and it is a privilege to drive for such an incredible team alongside a four‑time world champion like Max. From the moment I signed, I committed myself to the project, and with the support of Laurent and everyone in Milton Keynes, I have been able to justify the faith they placed in me.
I am constantly listening, learning and pushing myself further every day." When asked about the contract negotiations during the post‑race press conference in Baku, Hadjar said he was completely relaxed about the discussions and admitted he was unaware of the exact length of the new deal. "I let my people handle the talks. I focus on the track and that's it. It was very easy," he explained.
When pressed about whether the agreement covered multiple years, he replied, "I don't really know, I don't care. If you're good, you stay." Hadjar also gave an update on his wrist condition. He described a small fracture outside the wrist that required no surgery but demanded a lengthy natural healing process. "It will still be painful for a while, but after about six weeks it is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing.
I tested the simulator and it felt similar to the real car, so I am confident that with the adrenaline on track I will be fine. The training sessions have been dull because I couldn't use my left arm much," he said. The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout, a part of his fitness regime.
Red Bull has not imposed new restrictions on his training, though Hadjar acknowledged he will be more cautious in the future: "Next time I will think twice, maybe strap my wrist. There are no restrictions, I'm not a child, I just need to be careful." Across the sport, the top four teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull—have all secured their driver line‑ups for 2027. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have also confirmed their 2027 rosters, while Audi will retain Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg. The remaining teams—Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin—still have open seats.
Aston Martin's future may hinge on Fernando Alonso's decision; if he retires, a coveted seat could become available. Alonso has hinted that his departure will not happen soon, citing dissatisfaction with current regulations and ongoing discussions about Honda's engine supply to Aston Martin. In the meantime, Britain's Oliver Bearman is expected to remain at Haas, though his teammate Esteban Ocon could lose his drive if the team decides to promote Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, who impressed in Formula 2. Red Bull's own junior program continues to produce talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the F2 championship.
The team faces a delicate choice, as both Racing Bulls drivers Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson have delivered strong performances this year, making any decision to drop one of them a difficult one. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend will feature a packed schedule, including F2 practice, qualifying and races, as well as the F1 sessions. Sky Sports Main Event will broadcast the action live, with additional coverage on Sky Sports F1.
Fans can stream the races via NOW, with a flexible subscription that can be cancelled at any time. Overall, Isack Hadjar's extension with Red Bull signals the team's commitment to nurturing young talent while maintaining a competitive edge alongside Verstappen. His recovery from injury, steady performance and evident chemistry with the team suggest he will continue to be a key figure in Red Bull's pursuit of further championships in the coming years.