Isack Hadjar cleared for Azerbaijan GP return

Isack Hadjar has been cleared to return for this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ending a three-race absence caused by a fractured wrist. The Red Bull driver was injured in a gym session during the summer break, just before the Dutch GP, and the team opted to let him heal fully rather than rush him back.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's temporary driver reshuffle is now complete. Liam Lawson, who impressed as Hadjar's stand-in, returns to Racing Bulls, while Yuki Tsunoda heads back to his reserve role. With the season reaching a critical stretch, Red Bull gets its preferred lineup back on track.

The details:

• Hadjar missed the Dutch, Italian, and Spanish Grands Prix while recovering from the injury.
• Lawson scored seventh at Zandvoort and sixth in Spain, but Monza proved more difficult: an engine penalty dropped him to the back of the grid, and front-wing damage from a clash with Nico Hulkenberg ruined his race.
• Lawson's view: "It's been overall quite positive. I managed to score in two of the three. Monza was tough with the engine penalty and then damage in the race. But overall we've had good speed."
• Redemption arc: Lawson was dropped by Red Bull after just two races at the start of 2025, so this stand-in stint was a chance to rebuild his reputation.
• Tsunoda's cameo: He adapted quickly to the 2026-spec car and scored a point at Monza, though Audi has appealed that result over a grid formation issue.

What's next:

Hadjar now faces the challenge of reacclimatizing to F1 machinery on Baku's demanding street circuit. Lawson will look to carry his momentum back at Racing Bulls, while Tsunoda awaits the appeal outcome.