Red Bull announced Wednesday that Isack Hadjar has extended his contract, also sharing the news with a social media graphic reading “Allez, Isack.” The announcement comes in the same week the Milton Keynes constructor confirmed the Frenchman will return to the Formula 1 grid at the Baku City Circuit for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from the wrist injury that sidelined him for three races.
Red Bull team principal and CEO Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s rapid development in the team’s official announcement. “He has been superb on and off track, especially considering this is only his second Formula 1 season, which made extending his contract an easy decision,” Mekies said, crediting the Frenchman’s work ethic at the factory since joining at the start of the season.
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Hadjar echoed the sentiment in his own statement, saying, “I am really excited to continue with Oracle Red Bull Racing. I came to this Team eight months ago and immediately understood the scale and ambition of this organization.”
“There are so many talented people at the factory, and you’re aware of the privilege of driving for such an incredible Team alongside a four-time World Champion like [Max Verstappen],” the 21-year-old driver added.
Isack Hadjar Cleared for Return in Baku
Hadjar will rejoin Max Verstappen in the Red Bull lineup starting with the Baku weekend after being declared fit following his rehabilitation from the wrist injury he sustained during summer training. The 21-year-old driver missed the Dutch, Italian, and Spanish Grands Prix, with Liam Lawson filling in across all three race weekends.
Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images
His return means Lawson will head back to Racing Bulls, while Yuki Tsunoda returns to his reserve driver duties. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies had said the team planned to test Hadjar on the simulator before making a final call on his Baku status, prioritizing a complete recovery over rushing him back into the car.
The timing of the contract extension, coming just as Hadjar prepares to return to action, signals Red Bull’s continued confidence in the 21-year-old despite the layoff. Hadjar has three top-five finishes in 11 starts this season and sits eighth in the drivers’ standings.
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