Red Bull hopeful Hadjar can return in Baku after Madrid absence

Red Bull is hopeful Isack Hadjar will be back for Baku in two weeks, after the Frenchman sat out a third consecutive race in Madrid this weekend. Liam Lawson again stepped in alongside Max Verstappen, with the team refusing to rush the 21-year-old's return from a wrist injury sustained before the Dutch Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

Hadjar's absence has forced Red Bull to shuffle its lineup and put extra pressure on Lawson, while the cautious approach underscores how much the team values his long-term form. With a demanding triple-header looming after Baku, ensuring Hadjar is fully comfortable is critical to Red Bull's constructors' championship push.

The details:

• Hadjar traveled to Madrid but was not cleared to race. Team principal Laurent Mekies said the decision was simple: "He didn't feel that he was 100 percent and that's the only criteria we used."
• The tight, unfamiliar Madring layout strengthened Red Bull's resolve not to take risks. "There is no point in throwing him into a track like today, not feeling good and potentially delaying his full recovery," Mekies said.
• Red Bull will evaluate Hadjar on the simulator before deciding on Baku. Mekies stressed recovery is on track: "There is nothing wrong with his recovery. Some things take time."
• The Azerbaijan weekend begins a triple-header through Malaysia and Singapore, increasing the importance of full fitness.

What's next:

Red Bull will use the next fortnight for continued rehab and simulator work. If Hadjar is cleared, he returns at Baku City Circuit; if not, Lawson is again likely to step in. Either way, the team insists it won't compromise on full fitness.