Isack Hadjar admits wrist pain ahead of Red Bull return

After missing three races with a fractured wrist, Isack Hadjar is back in the Red Bull for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. But the 21-year-old admits the injury is still healing and will remain painful for some time.

Why it matters:

Hadjar's return comes at a crucial point for Red Bull, with the team already committing to him for 2027 alongside Max Verstappen. His fitness and form in Baku will be closely watched as he looks to prove he belongs at the front.

The details:

• Hadjar fractured his wrist while hitting a punchbag during training, forcing him to sit out the Dutch, Italian, and Spanish Grands Prix.
• He avoided surgery, with the fracture healing naturally. "It's still going to be painful for a while, but now it's going to be six weeks soon and it says that it's strong enough at the moment to resist the tensions," he said.
• Before being cleared, Hadjar spent time in Red Bull's simulator. He believes the sim is "nearly identical" to the cockpit, so if it went well there, he should be fine on track.
• The Frenchman also confirmed he reached out to MotoGP legend Marc Marquez for advice on arm injuries. Marquez's response? "Not to race!"
• Despite the pain, Hadjar remains focused: "It's good enough to drive, so that's all I need."

What's next:

Hadjar will take part in FP1 on Thursday before qualifying on Saturday. With his 2027 seat already secured, the immediate challenge is managing the pain and delivering a strong result in Baku.