News Summary
- Red Bull says Isack Hadjar’s recovery from a left-wrist injury is progressing as planned, but he will not return until he feels fully fit.
- Laurent Mekies expects the Frenchman to undergo another assessment before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Baku remaining the target for his comeback.
- Hadjar is attending the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid while still wearing a brace, with Liam Lawson continuing as Max Verstappen’s team-mate at Red Bull.
Red Bull has provided a fresh update on Isack Hadjar’s recovery from the left-wrist injury that has kept him out of Formula 1 since the Dutch Grand Prix, with team principal Laurent Mekies saying the Frenchman’s return will depend entirely on whether he feels fully fit.
Hadjar is in Madrid this weekend but remains sidelined and was seen with his left wrist still immobilized. Red Bull plans to reassess the 21-year-old before the next round in Azerbaijan, with the additional time between the Spanish and Baku Grands Prix potentially giving him enough time to return.
The team has previously made clear that Hadjar’s fitness, rather than a fixed deadline, will determine when he gets back into the RB22. Red Bull had already set an assessment point for his return after the wrist injury, with Liam Lawson remaining on standby.
Mekies reiterated that approach in Madrid, telling Sky Sports that Red Bull did not consider putting Hadjar back in the car while he was still short of full fitness. The team believes rushing the comeback could ultimately delay his recovery.
Hadjar’s absence has led to another reshuffle within the Red Bull family. Lawson has taken the seat alongside Max Verstappen at the senior team, while Yuki Tsunoda has returned to Racing Bulls.
Red Bull prioritizes full recovery
Mekies said the decision to keep Hadjar out in Madrid was straightforward because the driver did not yet feel completely ready. According to the Red Bull boss, that remains the team’s only meaningful criterion for bringing him back.
Red Bull’s position is consistent with its handling of the injury since Hadjar first missed the Dutch GP. The Frenchman suffered a fracture to a bone in his left wrist during training and was initially expected to return at Monza, but he was ultimately not cleared to race there either.
The longer recovery period also means Red Bull can avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the injury.
Mekies explained that there is no concern about the way Hadjar’s recovery is progressing and that everything remains within the team’s expectations. The Frenchman will use the additional time before Baku to continue his rehabilitation and work in the simulator.
The simulator assessment is particularly important because driving an F1 car places significant demands on the wrists, especially under braking and through high-speed corners.
When could Isack Hadjar return to F1?
Baku is now the clearest target.
Hadjar will undergo another evaluation before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while Red Bull also plans to put him through further simulator work. The team will then decide whether he is ready to return to competition.
There is no indication that Red Bull intends to accelerate that process simply because Hadjar has already missed multiple races. Mekies has repeatedly stressed that the priority is ensuring the driver returns without compromising his longer-term recovery.
That cautious approach is particularly relevant because Hadjar’s injury is relatively minor but affects a part of the body that is directly exposed to the physical demands of an F1 car.
For now, Lawson therefore remains Verstappen’s team-mate, while Tsunoda continues at Racing Bulls. Hadjar’s presence in Madrid is instead focused on supporting the team and continuing his recovery away from the track.
Baku could mark Hadjar’s comeback
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix offers Hadjar a realistic opportunity to return because Formula 1 has a longer gap after Madrid than it had between Monza and the Spanish round.
That additional time could prove decisive. If Hadjar passes the next medical assessment and demonstrates in the simulator that his wrist can withstand a full race weekend, Red Bull could put him back in the car for Baku.
Until then, the team is deliberately avoiding a fixed commitment.
For Red Bull, the message is simple: Hadjar will return when he is ready, not simply when the calendar says he should.
FAQ
Will Isack Hadjar race at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
Baku is currently the target for Hadjar’s return, but Red Bull has not confirmed that he will race. The Frenchman must first undergo another assessment and demonstrate that he is fully fit.
Why is Isack Hadjar missing the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix?
Hadjar is still recovering from a left-wrist fracture suffered during training over the Formula 1 summer break. Red Bull decided against returning him to the car until he is fully fit.
Who is replacing Isack Hadjar at Red Bull?
Liam Lawson is driving alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull while Hadjar recovers. Yuki Tsunoda has returned to Racing Bulls to fill the seat vacated by Lawson.
