Red Bull eyeing Baku return for Isack Hadjar

Red Bull is hopeful Isack Hadjar can return at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix later this month, after the Frenchman was ruled out of a third consecutive race weekend. Hadjar fractured his wrist in boxing training before the Dutch GP, forcing him to miss the Italian GP and this weekend's Spanish GP at F1's new Madring circuit in Madrid.

Why it matters:

Hadjar's extended absence leaves Red Bull without one of its rising talents, and a return to a demanding street circuit like Baku will be a serious test of his fitness. The team's priority is ensuring he is 100% before handing him a seat, rather than risking a setback.

The details:

• Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed the Spanish GP decision was straightforward: Hadjar did not feel 100% and the team's only criteria is full fitness.
• No rush: Mekies said there was no point in throwing Hadjar into a challenging track while not feeling good, potentially delaying his full recovery.
• Recovery on track: "There is nothing wrong with his recovery. The recovery is going as planned. Some things take time," Mekies told Sky Sports F1.
• Extra time: The Azerbaijan GP on September 26 gives Hadjar a two-week window to continue recovering.
• Simulator test: Red Bull will evaluate Hadjar on the sim before Baku to get a clearer picture of his readiness.

What's next:

Hadjar's return will depend on the simulator assessment and his physical progress over the next fortnight. If cleared, he will face one of the toughest street circuits on the calendar, where confidence and wrist strength will be crucial. If not, Red Bull will continue to prioritise a full recovery over a quick comeback.