Isack Hadjar still in pain from injury as he makes F1 return with a new Red Bull contract

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Isack Hadjar still in pain from injury as he makes F1 return with a new Red Bull contract

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Red Bull Racing officially confirmed that Isack Hadjar will return to Formula 1 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, following a wrist fracture sustained during summer training. The injury forced Hadjar to miss three consecutive races, ending a fifty-eight-day spell on the sidelines where Liam Lawson temporarily stepped in. Having successfully completed his rehabilitation and passed fitness checks, Hadjar is cleared to race alongside Max Verstappen. Simultaneously, Red Bull announced a contract extension ensuring an unchanged driver line-up for the twenty-twenty-seven season. Team Principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar's composure and strong early performances, highlighting his maiden podium in Monaco. Mekies noted that extending the deal was an easy decision despite the recent difficulties of his injury layoff. The confirmation secures stability within the Red Bull garage as the team prepares for the demanding street circuit in Baku, allowing engineers to focus entirely on developing the RB22 under current technical regulations.

Published 2026-09-23 11:03:28 UTC · Published by JQJO

Published by JQJO Editorial Desk · AI assisted

More context

Timeline

On July 25, 2025 Isack Hadjar sustained a severe wrist fracture during summer training.
On August 1, 2025 Red Bull confirmed Liam Lawson would substitute for upcoming races.
On August 31, 2025 Hadjar missed the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort circuit.
On September 7, 2025 Hadjar missed the Italian Grand Prix held at Monza.
On September 21, 2025 Hadjar missed the race weekend hosted in Madrid.
On September 22, 2025 Hadjar successfully completed mandatory medical and fitness rehabilitation checks.
On September 23, 2026 Red Bull announced a contract extension for the twenty-twenty-seven season.
On September 24, 2026 Team Principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar's strong early performances.
On September 25, 2026 Hadjar arrived in Baku for official media day commitments.
On September 26, 2026 Hadjar participated in opening practice sessions at Baku circuit.

Why it matters

Immediate US impact: Fans and US broadcast viewers gain stable driver lineup insights. Possible long-term US impact: Long term stability strengthens Red Bull commercial valuation across markets. Most affected groups: Motorsport fans, American viewers, Red Bull Racing team members. Reader priority: Prioritize verified statements from official Red Bull media releases.

Coverage notes

Left: Highlighted driver resilience and recovery from severe physical injuries. Center: Emphasized official team announcements, contract details, and technical updates. Right: Focused on team stability, performance metrics, and competitive driver lineups.