Isack Hadjar will return to Formula 1 action with Red Bull at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after successfully recovering from the wrist injury that forced him to miss the previous three races.
Red Bull confirmed on September 22 that the 21-year-old French driver has been declared fit to compete again and will reunite with Max Verstappen at the Baku City Circuit this weekend. Hadjar is expected to get back behind the wheel during Thursday’s opening practice sessions.
Hadjar has not raced since the Hungarian Grand Prix in July.
He suffered the wrist injury while carrying out fitness training during Formula 1’s summer break in August. Following medical advice, Red Bull decided not to rush his recovery, resulting in Hadjar missing the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza and the Spanish round at Madrid’s Madring circuit.
After rehabilitation, scans and simulator work, Hadjar has now been cleared to return for what will be a demanding period of the championship.
Red Bull welcomed the Frenchman back in a team statement, confirming that he had made a successful recovery and would resume his place in the RB22 from the start of the Azerbaijan weekend.
Hadjar’s absence created a temporary reshuffle across Red Bull’s two Formula 1 teams.
Liam Lawson was promoted from Racing Bulls to partner Verstappen at Red Bull for the three races Hadjar missed, while reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda stepped into Lawson’s Racing Bulls seat.
Lawson produced several encouraging performances during his temporary promotion, scoring points in two of the three races. Red Bull thanked the New Zealander for his professionalism and contribution while filling in under difficult circumstances.
With Hadjar returning, Lawson will move back to Racing Bulls, while Tsunoda resumes his role as reserve driver for the Red Bull organisation. Racing Bulls also thanked Tsunoda for his efforts during the temporary switch.
Hadjar’s return comes after a promising first season alongside four time world champion Verstappen.
The French driver had been producing competitive performances before his injury and claimed a notable podium at the Monaco Grand Prix. He remains eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, although his absence from three rounds has allowed several rivals to close or extend gaps around him in the standings.
Before the injury, Hadjar was only 38 points behind Verstappen following the Hungarian Grand Prix. After sitting out three races, that deficit has increased to 74 points.
His gap to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has also increased from 23 points before the injury to 49, highlighting the championship ground Hadjar lost while recovering.
Baku will provide an immediate challenge on his return.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place on one of Formula 1’s most demanding street circuits, combining the extremely narrow castle section with one of the longest full throttle sections on the calendar.
Drivers need confidence under braking while also being prepared for the unpredictable races Baku regularly produces. For Hadjar, completing three race weekends away from the cockpit means Thursday’s practice sessions will be particularly important as he rebuilds confidence and becomes comfortable with the car again.
His comeback also arrives at the beginning of a demanding sequence of races, with Azerbaijan followed by events in Malaysia and Singapore on consecutive weekends.
Red Bull therefore appear satisfied that Hadjar is physically ready before putting him back into such an intense schedule.
The Baku weekend itself will also run differently from the traditional Formula 1 timetable.
Practice will begin on Thursday, September 24, followed by qualifying on Friday and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday, September 26. The schedule has been moved forward by a day to avoid a clash with Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day on September 27.
Attention will now turn towards how quickly Hadjar can rediscover his pre injury form.
Three races on the sidelines have interrupted what had been an encouraging campaign, but the Monaco podium and his performances alongside Verstappen demonstrated his potential during the opening part of the season.
Baku will therefore represent more than simply another Grand Prix for the young Frenchman.
After weeks of rehabilitation and watching from outside the cockpit, Isack Hadjar is finally ready to race again and Red Bull will be hoping his return strengthens their challenge during the final phase of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
