Red Bull's Hadjar to return from injury at Azerbaijan GP

Isack Hadjar will return to the cockpit for Red Bull at this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, three races after a wrist injury forced him to the sidelines. The Frenchman sustained the injury during fitness training in August's summer break, causing him to miss the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix.

Why it matters:

Hadjar's comeback restores Red Bull's preferred lineup alongside Max Verstappen. The 21-year-old had impressed in his rookie season, including a podium in Monaco, and his absence highlighted the team's reliance on its regular driver. With the championship battle tightening, having Hadjar back in the RB22 is crucial for both the constructors' fight and his own development.

The details:

• Hadjar returns for Thursday practice in Baku, with the race scheduled for Saturday to avoid clashing with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day.
• Liam Lawson deputized for the three races, stepping up from Racing Bulls. Reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda filled Lawson's seat at the junior squad.
• Red Bull praised Lawson's professionalism, saying he delivered "impressive performances" and made a "valuable contribution."
• Racing Bulls thanked Tsunoda for scoring "very valuable points" during his fill-in stint.
• Hadjar remains eighth in the Drivers' Championship, but his gap to McLaren's Oscar Piastri has grown from 23 to 49 points during his absence.

What's next:

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the start of a triple-header, with races in Malaysia and Singapore following on consecutive weekends. Hadjar will be looking to regain momentum and close the gap to his rivals, while Red Bull will hope the rookie's return stabilizes their campaign.