Red Bull delays Isack Hadjar decision until final medical examination before Baku – Red Bull will wait until the week before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to decide whether Isack Hadjar is fit to return to Formula 1 after his wrist injury, with team principal Laurent Mekies confirming that a final examination will determine whether the 21-year-old can race alongside Max Verstappen in Baku.
Hadjar has now missed three consecutive Grands Prix after sustaining the injury during the Formula 1 summer break. The Frenchman was absent in Zandvoort, Monza and Madrid, although he has continued to support Red Bull at the track during his recovery.
Mekies stressed that Red Bull is not deliberately withholding information about Hadjar’s condition and said the team is simply allowing the recovery process to progress.
Red Bull will wait until week before Baku
Speaking to Sky after the Spanish Grand Prix, Mekies explained that there is currently no firm timetable for Hadjar’s return.
“It’s not about us wanting to keep anything secret,” Mekies said. “We’re simply using the available time.”
According to the Red Bull team principal, Hadjar’s recovery is progressing according to plan, but the nature of the injury means patience is required.
Hadjar is recovering “as planned, and it takes a while with an injury like this.”
Mekies added: “We’ll do the final examination the week before Baku and then see what we do.”
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is scheduled for September 24-26, meaning Red Bull’s decision is likely to come shortly before the race weekend begins.
Liam Lawson remains the obvious replacement
If Hadjar is not cleared to compete, Liam Lawson is expected to remain the most likely option to take his place at Red Bull.
The Racing Bulls driver has already deputised during Hadjar’s absence and has delivered increasingly strong results. Lawson finished seventh in the Netherlands, 14th in Italy and sixth in Madrid, with his result at the Spanish Grand Prix representing his best finish since returning to the Red Bull senior team.
Mekies was particularly pleased with Lawson’s performance in Madrid.
“It was a strong weekend for Liam. P6, he was already strong in qualifying yesterday and again in the race today. Very good points he scored, and great progress,” Mekies said.
Lawson had also shown his potential earlier in the season with a fifth-place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix while racing for Racing Bulls.
Hadjar’s absence has tightened the points battle
Hadjar’s continued absence has also allowed Lawson to close the gap in the drivers’ championship.
Hadjar currently sits eighth with 71 points, while Lawson is ninth on 59. That leaves just 12 points separating the two drivers.
While Lawson has been promoted to Red Bull during Hadjar’s absence, Yuki Tsunoda has taken Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls. At the Madrid debut, Tsunoda finished 14th, while Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad scored points with ninth place.
The situation means Red Bull faces another driver decision before Baku, although the priority remains Hadjar’s fitness rather than the championship battle.
For now, the team is prepared to wait. The final medical examination in the week before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will determine whether Hadjar can finally return to the Red Bull cockpit or whether Lawson will be called upon for another race.
Would you like to see more TJ13 Formula 1 coverage? Add us to your favourites list on Google to receive trusted F1 news.
The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
