Red Bull Racing announced that Isack Hadjar will be back behind the wheel for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ending a three‑race absence caused by a wrist injury sustained during the team’s August shutdown training. The French driver’s return restores the original driver pairing of Hadjar alongside Max Verstappen for the weekend’s sprint and main race.
Injury and interim replacements
Hadjar’s wrist injury forced him to sit out the Dutch Grand Prix, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, and the first Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit in Madrid. To keep the Red Bull program fully staffed, the team promoted Liam Lawson to Hadjar’s seat on the senior Red Bull car, while Yuki Tsunoda was called up from his reserve role to fill Lawson’s spot at the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (VCARB) entry.
Lawson made the most of his temporary promotion, scoring points in both of his outings – a seventh‑place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix and a sixth‑place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix. Tsunoda also contributed, earning a point with a tenth‑place finish at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
Team’s statement and gratitude
In a brief statement, Red Bull thanked Lawson for his “professionalism, dedication and hard work over the past three races,” noting that his performance helped keep the team competitive while Hadjar recovered. The team expressed confidence that Hadjar’s return will further strengthen their driver lineup as they head into the challenging street circuit in Baku.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix details
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will run on a slightly altered schedule this year, with qualifying set for Friday and the race taking place on Saturday, a day earlier than the traditional Sunday slot. The Baku City Circuit is known for its high‑speed straights and tight, technical sections, offering both opportunities and risks for drivers returning from injury.
Hadjar’s medical team has cleared him to compete, and the driver himself expressed excitement about getting back on track. “I’m grateful for the support from the team and fans during my recovery,” Hadjar said. “I’m looking forward to giving my best for Red Bull and competing at the highest level again.”
What fans can expect
With Verstappen already leading the championship, Hadjar’s return adds depth to Red Bull’s driver roster and could influence strategic decisions during the race weekend. Fans can anticipate a competitive showdown as the Red Bull cars tackle Baku’s demanding layout, and the team will aim to capitalize on the momentum built by Lawson’s solid performances.
For local motorsport enthusiasts and Red Bull supporters, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix presents a chance to see a full-strength Red Bull lineup back in action, showcasing the resilience and adaptability that have become hallmarks of the team’s recent success.
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
