Red Bull still uncertain over Isack Hadjar return for Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Red Bull cannot yet confirm whether Isack Hadjar will return for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing three consecutive Formula 1 races with a wrist injury, with a final medical examination scheduled for the week before Baku.
Isack Hadjar has now missed the races in Zandvoort, Monza and Madrid as he continues to recover from the wrist injury he sustained during Formula 1’s summer break. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies says the Frenchman is recovering as expected, but the team will wait until the final examination before deciding whether he is fit to race.
“It’s not about us wanting to keep anything secret,” Mekies told Sky. “We’re simply using the available time.”
The Red Bull driver 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.”
Hadjar’s Baku return remains uncertain
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place from September 24 to 26, giving Hadjar a little more time to recover before Red Bull has to make a decision.
The 21-year-old has remained involved with the team during his absence, but has been unable to compete since the summer break. If he is not cleared to race in Baku, Red Bull is expected to continue with its temporary driver arrangement.
Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson has stepped into the Red Bull seat during Hadjar’s absence, while Yuki Tsunoda has raced alongside Arvid Lindblad at Racing Bulls.
That arrangement could therefore continue for a fourth consecutive Grand Prix if Hadjar is unable to return.
Lawson continues to strengthen his case
Lawson has made a strong impression since being handed the Red Bull seat, despite a difficult start to the season.
The New Zealander finished seventh in the Netherlands, 14th in Italy and then sixth at the Madrid Grand Prix. His sixth-place finish was his best result since joining Red Bull and came after he had already impressed with fifth place for Racing Bulls at the Monaco Grand Prix earlier this season.
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,” he said.
Lawson’s recent results have also brought him closer to Hadjar in the championship standings.
Lawson closes on Hadjar in championship
Hadjar remains eighth in the drivers’ championship with 71 points, but Lawson has reduced the gap to just 12 points and sits ninth with 59.
The situation adds another interesting element to Red Bull’s decision over Hadjar’s return. While Hadjar remains the team’s regular driver alongside Max Verstappen, Lawson has continued to score valuable points during his replacement spell.
At Racing Bulls, Tsunoda finished 14th in Madrid, while his teammate Arvid Lindblad secured ninth place and added points to his championship tally.
For now, however, Red Bull is not looking beyond the medical assessment. Hadjar’s recovery is reportedly progressing according to plan, but the team will not know whether he can return to Verstappen’s side until the final checks are completed.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will therefore provide another potential test of Red Bull’s driver rotation, with Hadjar’s fitness set to determine whether Lawson gets another opportunity alongside Verstappen.
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