Hadjar ready to 'come back to the fight' at Baku after injury and new Red Bull deal

Isack Hadjar has declared himself ready to return to action at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing three races with a wrist fracture. The Red Bull driver admitted the injury "is still going to be painful for a while," but he is confident he can handle the challenge of the Baku City Circuit. His comeback coincides with the announcement of a new deal that keeps him alongside Max Verstappen for 2027.

Why it matters:

Hadjar had been building serious momentum before his setback, shaking off the 'second seat curse' that has tripped up many of Verstappen's teammates. His return is crucial for Red Bull's hopes of fighting for both championships, and the contract extension signals the team's belief that he is the long-term answer.

The details:

• Hadjar was forced to sit out the Dutch, Italian, and Spanish rounds, with Liam Lawson stepping up to the senior team.
• The Frenchman sustained a small fracture on the outside of his wrist during summer training. No surgery was required, but the recovery has been slow.
• He tested on the simulator and says it went well, though he expects lingering discomfort for a while.
• Before the injury, Hadjar was on a streak of seven top-six finishes between Miami and Hungary, including a podium in Monaco and a stunning charge from P21 to P6 in Belgium.
• Team principal Laurent Mekies called the Belgium performance "the best race with us without question."

What's next:

Baku is one of the toughest street circuits on the calendar, but Hadjar is eager to pick up where he left off. With his future secured for 2027, he can focus purely on delivering on track and proving that Red Bull's faith in him is justified.