Hadjar could return in Baku, green light not yet official
Red Bull is assessing whether the driver can return alongside Max Verstappen after a wrist injury.
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Isack Hadjar appears to have a chance of returning at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but Red Bull had not officially confirmed this by Tuesday. A simulator assessment and medical clearance will determine whether he regains his place alongside Max Verstappen.
Hadjar suffered a wrist injury during the summer break and has since missed the Grands Prix of the Netherlands, Italy and Spain. Liam Lawson took his place at Red Bull. Yuki Tsunoda drove for the sister team Racing Bulls during that period.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies previously said that the recovery was progressing as planned, but that the team did not want to take a risk with an early return. According to Formula 1, Hadjar must feel almost fully recovered before getting back in the car.
The assessment is particularly relevant because Baku is a street circuit with heavy braking zones and little room for error. Red Bull first wants Hadjar to drive in the simulator to see whether his wrist can withstand the strain. The usual medical and internal team checks will follow.
Formula 1 wrote on Monday that a return in Azerbaijan was possible, but did not yet describe it as definitive. Sky Sports also reported that the decision would only be made after the evaluation. Reports elsewhere that Hadjar is already certain to return therefore run ahead of the official confirmation.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is scheduled for 24 to 26 September, with the race on Saturday. If Hadjar is approved, Lawson will return to Racing Bulls and Hadjar will once again form Red Bull's duo with Verstappen. If he is not cleared, Lawson will remain in that place for the time being.
For Red Bull, the choice is mainly a trade-off between sporting continuity and longer-term recovery. Hadjar has established a regular position in his first season with the main team, but the team has stressed that a swift return must not delay his recovery.
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The injury, missed races and planned assessment have been described by Formula 1 and Sky Sports. A definitive return had not yet been confirmed in the official sources consulted.
- confirmed Hadjar missed three races after suffering a wrist injury. — Formula 1 and Sky Sports describe his absence and recovery. source
- confirmed A simulator assessment plays a role in the decision on his return. — This was reported by team principal Laurent Mekies via Formula 1. source
- confirmed The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held from 24 to 26 September and the race is on Saturday. — The FIA calendar lists the event for 24–26 September; the race schedule has been described by F1 sources. source
- uncertain Hadjar has definitive approval for Baku. — The official sources consulted still refer to an assessment and medical clearance. source
1 correction(s) applied
- Was: Hadjar has approval and will return alongside Verstappen.Now: Hadjar could return in Baku; simulator and medical checks still need to confirm this. (The official sources had not confirmed a definitive line-up at the time of checking.)
Editor's note
Publicly available official sources confirm a planned assessment, not definitive approval. The initial wording has therefore been softened to a possible return.Sources
- It’s good to have him by my side — Formula 1
- Nothing wrong with Isack’s recovery — Formula 1
- Isack Hadjar injury update — Sky Sports
- 2026 FIA sporting calendars — FIA
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