Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar will return to Formula 1 at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from a wrist injury that kept him out of the previous three races.
The 21-year-old Frenchman sustained the injury while boxing and subsequently missed the Dutch, Italian and Madrid Grands Prix. New Zealand’s Liam Lawson stepped in as his replacement during his absence.
Red Bull has confirmed that Hadjar is fully fit and will resume racing alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen in Baku, where the Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place from 24 to 26 September.
Lawson, 24, delivered two points-scoring finishes during his temporary spell with Red Bull. He secured seventh place at Zandvoort and sixth in Madrid, although he finished 14th at Monza and failed to add to his points tally.
The team acknowledged Lawson’s contribution during the three races, highlighting his commitment and performances after being called upon to replace Hadjar at short notice.
With Hadjar returning to the Red Bull cockpit, Lawson will move back to Racing Bulls, the team’s junior outfit, to resume his regular racing duties.
Hadjar heads into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix eighth in the drivers’ championship with 71 points. His return gives him an opportunity to build on his position in the standings after three consecutive races on the sidelines.