Red Bull has officially announced 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 rookie year with Racing Bulls in 2025, missed the final three rounds while recovering from a wrist injury sustained during a summer training session.
Now fully fit, Hadjar returned to the grid for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The decision follows last month’s confirmation that four‑time world champion Max Verstappen has signed a new deal extending his stay with Red Bull until at least the close of 2030. Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s rapid integration, stating, “Since he arrived at the beginning of the year, Isack has been exceptional both on‑track and off‑track, especially given that this is only his second season in Formula 1.
Extending his contract was therefore a straightforward choice.” Mekies highlighted Hadjar’s work ethic, noting that the young driver spent countless hours in the Milton Keynes factory alongside his engineers, constantly seeking ways to improve the car’s performance. “From his debut weekend in Melbourne, he displayed a composure beyond his years and quickly earned his place beside Verstappen,” Mekies added. 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 the Dutchman’s pace.
Hadjar, however, has consistently been closer to Verstappen’s level, even out‑qualifying him on several occasions this season, which has insulated his seat from criticism. 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 originally stripped Pierre Gasly of his result. Mekies commented on the driver’s recovery, saying, “The period after his injury was challenging, but this contract extension reflects the confidence we have in his talent. We’re eager to see him back at full speed.” Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater explained, “Hadjar missed the last three rounds after injuring his arm and wrist while hitting a heavy bag during his boxing training.
He’s now cleared to race and will partner Verstappen in 2027. Liam Lawson performed admirably as a stand‑in, but nobody was surprised that Red Bull kept Hadjar, who has been the most competitive teammate Verstappen has had since Daniel Ricciardo left.” Hadjar himself expressed enthusiasm about the extension: “I’m thrilled to keep racing for Oracle Red Bull Racing. I joined eight months ago and instantly grasped the scale and ambition of the organization.
The team is filled with incredibly talented people, and driving alongside a four‑time champion like Max is a privilege. From day one, I’ve committed myself to the project, and with the support of Laurent and the whole Milton Keynes crew, I’ve been able to justify the faith they placed in me. Every day I aim to listen, learn and push my limits further.” During the post‑race press conference in Baku, Hadjar said he had taken a relaxed approach to the contract talks, even admitting he was unsure of the exact length of the new deal. “I let my management handle the negotiations.
I focus on the track, and the rest falls into place,” he explained. When asked whether the agreement spanned multiple years, he replied, “I don’t really know, and I don’t mind.
If you perform well, you stay; that’s it.” He also addressed the nature of his wrist injury, describing it as a small fracture that required no surgery but a lengthy natural healing process. “It’s still painful, but after six weeks the bone is strong enough to handle the stresses of racing.
The simulator tests went well, and the cockpit feels almost identical, so I’m confident I’ll be fine on track.” He noted that training sessions have been dull without the use of his left arm, but he remains optimistic about a full return. The injury occurred during a routine boxing workout.
Red Bull has not imposed new restrictions on his training regimen, though Hadjar acknowledged he will be more cautious in the future: “Next time I’ll be more careful, maybe strap my wrist, but there are no formal limits. I’m not a child; I just need to think twice before throwing a punch.” With Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren all confirming their driver line‑ups for 2027, the remaining teams are still shaping their rosters. Alpine, Williams and Cadillac have already secured their drivers, while Audi will keep Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg.
The only seats still up for grabs belong to Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin. Aston Martin’s future hinges on Fernando Alonso’s decision; should the two‑time champion retire, a vacancy would open up. Alonso has hinted that any announcement will not come soon, expressing dissatisfaction with the current regulations and noting FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s comments about accelerating the development of Aston Martin’s Honda engine partner.
In the meantime, Britain’s Oliver Bearman is expected to remain at Haas, though his teammate Esteban Ocon may lose his drive as Haas is rumored to promote Ferrari junior Rafael Camara for 2027 after his impressive Formula 2 performances. Red Bull’s junior program continues to produce talent, with Nikola Tsolov leading the F2 championship and the team eyeing an early promotion for him. However, Red Bull faces a delicate decision: both Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson have delivered strong results for Racing Bulls this year, making any choice to drop one of them a difficult one.
The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend schedule includes multiple support events, such as F2 practice, qualifying and races, all streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event. Fans can watch the action via Sky Sports F1 or the NOW streaming service, which offers a flexible, contract‑free option.