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Isack Hadjar Cleared for Baku Return as Liam Lawson Hands Back Red Bull Seat
Isack Hadjar will race at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from a wrist injury, ending Liam Lawson's three-round stint with Red Bull as the New Zealander returns to Racing Bulls.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-09-23T17:22:13.000Z - 3 min read
Baku will welcome Isack Hadjar back into competitive action this weekend, with Red Bull confirming the Frenchman has fully recovered from the wrist problem that halted his campaign. Having sat out three consecutive grands prix, the 21-year-old steps back into his race seat alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which takes place from 24 to 26 September. His return brings a scheduled conclusion to Liam Lawson's temporary spell leading the team's second entry.
An unexpected injury sustained during boxing training triggered the layoff, leaving Hadjar sidelined while his wrist healed and forcing Red Bull into a mid-season cockpit adjustment. That setback kept the 21-year-old away from the circuit through grands prix in the Netherlands, Monza and Madrid, interrupting what had been a productive championship run. With rehabilitation complete, Red Bull issued a statement verifying that Hadjar has achieved a full recovery and will step directly into the car for the upcoming street race.
Stepping into the breach on short notice was Lawson, who vacated his regular environment to take over the cockpit for that trio of events. The 24-year-old New Zealander was thrust into high-pressure circumstances across distinct circuit layouts, asked to score points and keep the team competitive while Hadjar recuperated. His three-race substitution provided a rigorous examination across varying track demands, beginning in the dunes of Zandvoort before heading to the high-speed temple of Monza and concluding on the circuit in Madrid.
On track, Lawson produced an uneven run of results that nevertheless yielded meaningful points for the squad. Seventh place at Zandvoort marked a composed beginning to his temporary assignment, followed by an even stronger showing in Madrid where he crossed the finish line in sixth. A difficult outing at Monza proved the lone blank on his ledger, where a 14th-place finish left him outside the points scoring positions. Across the three-event window, those two top-seven finishes ensured the team maintained momentum during Hadjar's absence.
Red Bull moved quickly to acknowledge that contribution as the decision was announced, formally thanking the New Zealander for his conduct and adaptability during the interim stint. In its official communication, the team praised Lawson for his professionalism, dedication and hard work across the three race weekends. Team management noted that Lawson had delivered impressive performances after stepping into the car under challenging circumstances, making what the organization described as a valuable contribution to the ongoing campaign.
With Hadjar's comeback finalised, Lawson's immediate racing future shifts back to familiar territory within the organization. The New Zealander now returns to Red Bull's junior squad, Racing Bulls, stepping away from the primary outfit having fulfilled his assignment. The transition has also been marked by direct communication between the parties involved, with PlanetF1 reporting that Red Bull and Hadjar both sent messages to Lawson following the official confirmation of the Baku line-up.
Rejoining the grid in Baku restores Hadjar to a championship battle where he has already demonstrated consistent form. The Frenchman sits eighth in the drivers' standings with 71 points gathered over the course of the season, positioning him well as he prepares to partner Verstappen once more. With the Azerbaijan Grand Prix set to challenge drivers around Baku's demanding layout, Hadjar's return resolves Red Bull's short-term driver arrangement and puts both of its contracted contenders back in their designated seats.