Hadjar to make racing return with Red Bull at Azerbaijan GP

Red Bull have confirmed that Isack Hadjar will make his racing return at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, rejoining Max Verstappen after recovering from the wrist injury that forced him to miss the previous three rounds.

Why it matters:

Hadjar's return restores Red Bull's preferred 2026 line-up for the crucial final phase of the season. With the constructors' championship still up for grabs, having a fully fit second driver is essential to maximise points and support Verstappen's title bid. The team had to rely on stand-ins during his absence, which disrupted their operational rhythm.

The details:

• Hadjar sustained the injury while training over the summer, ruling him out of Zandvoort, Monza and the all-new Madring circuit.
• After a period of rehabilitation, he has been declared fit to race from the Baku weekend.
• Liam Lawson, who stood in for Hadjar at Red Bull, will now return to Racing Bulls for the remainder of the season.
• Yuki Tsunoda, who was called up as a reserve, will step back to his reserve duties.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Hadjar's pace and fitness in Baku, a circuit that demands high physical resilience. The team will be hoping for a seamless transition as they push for silverware in the final races of 2026. If Hadjar can hit the ground running, Red Bull will be in a strong position to close out the year.