Isack Hadjar, a 21-year-old French Formula 1 driver, is set to return to the Red Bull driver lineup for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend. He had been sidelined for the last three races due to a wrist injury. His comeback follows a recovery process that included rehabilitation and simulator evaluations, with Red Bull prioritizing his fitness. Hadjar will rejoin his teammate, Max Verstappen, at the Baku City Circuit.
Hadjar's return will bring an end to his spell on the sidelines following his injury during the summer break. He missed the Grands Prix in the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain, with Liam Lawson stepping into his seat at Red Bull. Lawson produced solid performances during his temporary promotion, scoring points in two of his three races for Red Bull. The team thanked Lawson for his adaptability and contribution while Hadjar recovered.
With Hadjar's comeback, Lawson will move back to Racing Bulls, alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad. Yuki Tsunoda, who had stepped in to partner Lindblad after Lawson was promoted to the senior Red Bull team, will return to his reserve-driver duties. Hadjar had been enjoying a promising campaign before his injury, including a run of strong results and a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will begin a triple-header, with races in Malaysia and Singapore scheduled to follow. The Baku weekend will operate on an unusual schedule, with practice beginning on Thursday and the race taking place on Saturday rather than Sunday. The adjustment has been made to avoid a clash with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day.
Red Bull's decision to bring Hadjar back follows a cautious recovery process. Team principal Laurent Mekies previously stressed that the driver would only return once he was sufficiently fit, with simulator testing and medical assessments forming part of the evaluation. Hadjar's return will give him an opportunity to resume his progress alongside Verstappen and demonstrate that he has fully recovered from the wrist problem.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will feature a challenging Baku street circuit, which will test Hadjar's skills and fitness. Red Bull will hope that Hadjar can quickly regain his rhythm and perform well in the demanding period of the Formula 1 calendar. Lawson's return to Racing Bulls and Tsunoda's preparation to step away from the race seat will also be closely watched.
Hadjar's return to the Red Bull lineup marks a significant development in the Formula 1 season. His performance in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be crucial in determining his and the team's prospects for the remainder of the season. The team will be looking to maximize their points and gain an advantage in the constructors' championship.
Key points
- Isack Hadjar to return to Red Bull for Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from wrist injury
- Liam Lawson to move back to Racing Bulls
- Yuki Tsunoda to return to reserve-driver duties
