Isack Hadjar is edging closer to his Formula 1 comeback after a wrist injury that forced him to miss the last three races. The Frenchman sustained the injury during training over the summer break, and has been replaced by Liam Lawson at the Dutch, Italian, and Spanish Grands Prix. Lawson, who usually drives for Red Bull's sister team Racing Bulls, stepped up, with Red Bull reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda filling his seat at Zandvoort, Monza, and Madrid.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies provided an update on Hadjar's recovery, stating that everything is on track. "There is nothing wrong with Isack's recovery. I think we have learned that it's fundamentally a normal time for the sort of injuries he has," Mekies said. He added that the team will continue with the same approach and evaluate the situation in a week's time.
The team plans to put Hadjar in the simulator before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, which kicks off a triple-header. This will expose him to real-life constraints and assess his readiness. "We have a full week, a bit more than a full week, to evaluate situations, to see how he feels and then to put him on the simulator," Mekies explained. "And if he feels close to 100 per cent, we go for it. If he feels the recovery is not completed, we will stick to our approach to put his recovery first."
Mekies emphasised that the team does not want to compromise Hadjar's long-term capacity by rushing his return. "What we don't want to do is, by having an early return, compromise his long-term capacity to come back to 100 per cent," he said. This cautious approach highlights the importance of Hadjar to the team's future, given his promising performances in his debut season.
Meanwhile, Mekies praised the performances of stand-in driver Lawson. The Kiwi scored points on his first outing at Zandvoort, then finished 14th at Monza after starting from the back due to an engine change penalty. In Madrid, Lawson qualified eighth and finished sixth, his best result since returning to the senior team. "I think he's done a very good job," Mekies said. "We all know how difficult it is to jump to a different team, to a different car, and I think he has done that to the best of what could have been our expectations."
Mekies also noted Lawson's growth as a driver. "I think he has continued to grow as a driver. He's very calm in the car; he's very focused," he added. Lawson, who was demoted by Red Bull just two races into the 2025 season, has shown maturity and consistency that have made him a reliable option. His collaboration with Max Verstappen has also been productive, with Lawson providing valuable technical feedback.
The decision on whether Hadjar will return in Baku will be made after the simulator session. If deemed fit, he will face the challenging street circuit of Baku, known for its narrow walls and physical demands. However, with his recovery progressing well, Red Bull is optimistic that Hadjar can rejoin the team for the remainder of the season. In the meantime, Lawson will remain ready if needed, although he also has commitments with Racing Bulls. This situation underscores the dynamic nature of Formula 1, where injuries can reshape driver line-ups in an instant.
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