Red Bull confirms Hadjar return for Baku as Tsunoda's comeback ends

Red Bull has confirmed Isack Hadjar will return to the team for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, having recovered from the wrist injury that kept him out of the last three rounds. Yuki Tsunoda's temporary return to a Formula 1 race seat is over, as Liam Lawson heads back to Racing Bulls.

Why it matters:

The move restores Red Bull's original driver lineup for Baku: Max Verstappen and Hadjar at the senior team, with Lawson and Arvid Lindblad at Racing Bulls. With only a handful of races left, the decision also raises questions about Lawson's long-term prospects despite a solid audition.

The details:

• Hadjar missed the races at Zandvoort, Monza and Madrid after his pre-summer-break wrist injury.
• Lawson filled in at Red Bull, earning seventh place at Zandvoort, a tough 14th at Monza after a grid penalty, and a strong sixth at Madrid's street circuit.
• Red Bull management publicly praised Lawson's professionalism and feedback during his three-race stint.
• While Lawson moved up, Tsunoda was called up to Racing Bulls, where he scored a single point over the same three events.

Between the lines:

Tsunoda's stint was always seen as temporary, but the brief return offered him a chance to remind the paddock of his racecraft. Now he steps back aside, leaving his 2027 ambitions uncertain as Red Bull continues to rotate its young drivers.

What's next:

Lawson returns to Racing Bulls for the final stretch of the season, but his 2027 seat is far from guaranteed. Red Bull is reportedly tracking F2 driver Nikola Tsolov as the next junior prospect, adding pressure on Lawson to deliver strong results in the remaining races.