Isack Hadjar will step back into the Red Bull cockpit at this week’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, cleared to race after a wrist injury sidelined him for the past three rounds.
The 21-year-old Frenchman, who damaged his wrist while boxing, missed the Netherlands, Monza and Madrid, with New Zealander Liam Lawson drafted in as cover. Red Bull confirmed Hadjar has made a “full recovery” and will reclaim his seat for Baku, which runs from 24-26 September.
The call ends a sharp but brief audition for Lawson. Thrown into the car under pressure, he responded with seventh place at Zandvoort and sixth in Madrid, underlining his readiness at the top level. Monza was less rewarding: 14th at the flag, no points, but more hard data for the team.
Red Bull publicly saluted his efforts, praising his professionalism, dedication and work rate over the three-race stint, and highlighting the “valuable contribution” he made while Verstappen’s side of the garage continued its title charge.
Now the reset. Lawson, 24, heads back to Red Bull’s junior outfit Racing Bulls, where his long-term future will be shaped. Hadjar returns to the front line, alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen, with his season very much alive.
Despite the enforced break, Hadjar sits eighth in the drivers’ standings on 71 points. Baku’s unforgiving walls and long straights will test that freshly healed wrist immediately — and show whether his season is about recovery, or resurgence.
