Red Bull’s young French driver, Isack Hadjar, is poised to rejoin the grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix following a three‑race absence caused by a wrist injury sustained during off‑season fitness work. The 21‑year‑old, who has shown promising pace alongside five‑time world champion Max Verstappen in his debut season, missed the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds after aggravating his wrist while training in August. His return will be marked by participation in both practice sessions on Thursday at the Baku City Circuit, a schedule that has been shifted forward by a day to avoid clashing with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Oracle Red Bull Racing expressed enthusiasm about the Frenchman’s recovery: "Oracle Red Bull Racing is delighted to welcome Isack back this weekend. Having made a successful recovery from his wrist injury, Isack will return to action at the Baku City Circuit on Thursday." The team also thanked the drivers who stepped in during Hadjar’s hiatus.
Liam Lawson, promoted from the Racing Bulls squad, covered Hadjar’s seat at the main Red Bull team, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda filled Lawson’s spot in the junior outfit. Red Bull praised Lawson’s professionalism and adaptability, noting that he delivered "impressive performances" under challenging circumstances and that the team wishes him well as he returns to the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls line‑up. The Racing Bulls organization echoed this sentiment, commending Tsunoda for his contributions over the past three events and confirming his return to a reserve role for both the senior and junior squads. "Liam returns to VCARB this weekend in Baku, with Isack having made a full recovery from his wrist injury," the team said, adding a heartfelt thank you to Yuki for "giving everything for the team and scoring some very valuable points." Hadjar’s early season performance had been solid, highlighted by a podium finish in Monaco that underscored his potential as a future contender.
Before his injury, he sat eighth in the Drivers' Championship, trailing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 23 points. The gap, however, widened to 49 points during his time away, while his deficit to team‑mate Verstappen grew from 38 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix to 74 points at the start of the Baku weekend.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the opening of a three‑race sprint in the Asian leg of the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, with subsequent rounds scheduled for Malaysia and Singapore. The event’s timetable is packed: a drivers' press conference on Wednesday morning, followed by a series of practice sessions, qualifying, and the race itself on Saturday. The weekend also features Formula 2 support races, with practice, qualifying and feature events interwoven throughout the schedule.
All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and streamed via NOW, offering fans multiple ways to follow the action. Beyond the on‑track drama, the weekend has been punctuated by several storylines. Alpine issued a condemnation of online abuse after Franco Colapinto’s three‑car collision with Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris, while George Russell’s dominant performance in the previous race sparked debate about Mercedes’ resurgence. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli, the current championship leader, admitted to feeling “like he was driving like his grandma” due to a lack of confidence after a cautious run in Baku.
As Hadjar prepares to step back into the Red Bull cockpit, the team’s focus will be on maximizing points and supporting Verstappen’s title defence. The Frenchman’s return not only restores the original driver lineup but also provides a morale boost after a period of uncertainty. With his wrist fully healed, Hadjar will aim to regain lost ground in the standings and demonstrate the speed that earned him a seat beside one of the sport’s greatest talents. Fans can expect a thrilling weekend in Baku, where the narrow streets and high‑speed sections of the circuit often produce dramatic overtakes and unexpected results.
The combination of a restored driver roster, a packed support program, and the broader narrative of the Asian triple‑header makes the Azerbaijan Grand Prix a pivotal moment in the 2026 season.