Isack Hadjar returns to Red Bull for Azerbaijan GP after injury layoff

Isack Hadjar will return to Red Bull this weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ending a three-race absence caused by a wrist injury he sustained while training during F1's August break.

Why it matters:

Hadjar's comeback triggers a reshuffle across Red Bull's two teams. Liam Lawson, who stepped in as his stand-in, heads back to Racing Bulls, while Yuki Tsunoda drops to the sidelines as a potential reserve for the remainder of the season. The move restores Red Bull's preferred lineup as the team pushes through the final stretch of the campaign.

The details:

• Hadjar injured his wrist while training during the August shutdown, forcing him to miss the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix.
• Lawson's stint: The New Zealander scored 14 points in three races alongside Max Verstappen, bringing his season tally to 59.
• Tsunoda's role: After filling Lawson's seat at Racing Bulls, Tsunoda now steps aside but remains on standby for any future openings.
• Team statement: Red Bull thanked Lawson for his "professionalism, dedication and hard work," noting he delivered "impressive performances" under challenging circumstances.

What's next:

Hadjar returns to action at the Baku City Circuit on Thursday, with the team confirming his recovery has progressed smoothly. He'll also carry momentum from having his Monaco podium reinstated by the FIA's International Court of Appeal, which overruled Alpine's right of review over the race result.