Red Bull Racing has confirmed that French driver Isack Hadjar will make his return to the Formula 1 grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The 22‑year‑old missed the last three races – Miami, Saudi Arabia and Australia – after sustaining a wrist injury during testing in early March. According to the official Formula 1 website, medical staff have cleared him to compete, meaning he will line up alongside teammate Max Verstappen for the season‑opening sprint weekend.
Hadjar’s injury was first reported after a high‑speed tyre‑change drill at the team's Abu Dhabi factory, where he suffered a fracture to the scaphoid bone in his left wrist. The Frenchman underwent surgery and a short rehabilitation programme, and Red Bull’s performance chief, Helmut Marko, confirmed that the driver has met the team’s stringent medical criteria to return to full‑time racing. "Isack has worked incredibly hard to get back to full fitness and we are delighted to have him back in the car for Baku," Marko said in a statement quoted by Sky Sports F1.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, scheduled for 30 April – 2 May, will be the first race where Hadjar can test his recovery against the demanding street circuit. The track’s long straights and tight, high‑speed corners provide a stern test of both car and driver, especially after a wrist injury that could affect steering feedback. Red Bull will likely keep Hadjar in the junior role for the sprint qualifying, while Verstappen focuses on the main race, but both drivers will benefit from the extra data the team gathers on the new 2026‑era power units.
For Indian fans, the race will be broadcast live on FanCode with commentary in English and Hindi, starting at 12:30 IST for the sprint qualifying and 15:30 IST for the main Grand Prix. The event also marks the first time the 2024 season’s sprint format will be used in Baku, adding an extra layer of excitement for viewers. Fans can follow live timing on the official F1 app, which offers a dedicated Indian server to reduce latency.
Hadjar’s return adds another storyline to an already intriguing weekend, as Red Bull seeks to maintain its dominance while Verstappen chases his record‑breaking seventh world title. The French rookie’s performance will be closely watched, not only to gauge his recovery but also to see how quickly he can regain the confidence lost during his three‑race absence.
Source: Formula1.com
