Red Bull sets Hadjar return condition as Ferrari signs Rakuten

Red Bull will not rush Isack Hadjar back into a race seat until his recovery is deemed completely risk-free, team principal Laurent Mekies has confirmed. Ferrari has simultaneously strengthened its commercial arm by announcing Rakuten as a multi-year Team Partner, adding the Japanese tech giant to its growing sponsor portfolio.

Why it matters:

Hadjar's return is central to Red Bull's driver planning as the 2026 season enters its decisive phase. With Racing Bulls facing a crunch decision over Liam Lawson, the junior squad's lineup could shift depending on when Hadjar is cleared. For Ferrari, the Rakuten agreement bolsters the team's financial base under the Ferrari HP banner and adds another blue-chip name to its sponsor list.

The details:

• Mekies stressed that Red Bull will only consider Hadjar when "comfortable that his return is risk-free," giving no timeframe for his comeback.
• Ferrari described Rakuten as an "exceptional" global leader; the partnership begins on January 1, 2027, covering telecommunications and e-commerce categories.
• Elsewhere, Lewis Hamilton forcefully denied rumours that he asked Ferrari to replace members of his trackside crew, calling the claims untrue.
• GPDA chief Alex Wurz pushed back against criticism of Madrid's Madring layout, while Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admitted Kimi Antonelli's aggressive style is giving him "grey hairs" and issued a "black swan" warning.

What's next:

Red Bull faces a delicate decision on Hadjar's seat as his recovery continues, with no clear timeline set. Ferrari's latest deal signals long-term commercial confidence, while the paddock moves on from Madrid with lingering questions about overtaking still hanging over the calendar.