Isack Hadjar takes Baku podium after Red Bull confirms 2027 contract

Sunday 27 September 2026 - 18:00

Isack Hadjar completed a remarkable return to Formula 1 competition on Saturday by claiming third place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, just days after Red Bull confirmed that the French driver would remain with the team for the 2027 season.

The podium in Baku marked the third top-three finish of Hadjar’s Formula 1 career and capped a particularly significant week for the 21-year-old, who had only just returned to racing after missing three consecutive grands prix because of a wrist injury.

A return shaped by patience

Hadjar arrived in Azerbaijan after being sidelined from the races in Zandvoort, Monza and Madrid. The injury to his left wrist was sustained while boxing during the summer break, forcing him to miss an important stretch of the season.

His return was accompanied by confirmation of his future at Red Bull. The team announced on Wednesday that Hadjar had signed a contract extension for 2027, an announcement that came earlier than Red Bull’s usual timetable for confirming its driver line-up.

The decision followed a strong first part of the season for the Frenchman. Hadjar had established himself among the leading midfield performers and entered the Azerbaijan weekend eighth in the drivers’ championship.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said Hadjar had demonstrated composure and strong performance since joining the team, adding that extending his contract had become a natural decision for the Austrian outfit.

Building confidence around the Baku circuit

Hadjar approached his comeback cautiously on the demanding Baku City Circuit, where narrow sections and heavy braking zones leave little room for mistakes.

His weekend did not begin smoothly. A technical issue during the opening free practice session cost him 40 minutes of track time on Thursday. Rather than disrupting his preparation, the Frenchman gradually increased his pace through the remaining sessions.

That approach proved effective in qualifying. Hadjar secured fourth place on the grid, his second-best qualifying result of the season. The performance was particularly notable on a circuit where even a small error can have major consequences.

Hadjar also acknowledged the additional caution required after his wrist injury, saying he had deliberately avoided taking unnecessary risks during his return weekend.

A composed race turns into a podium

Hadjar maintained his position near the front after the start and spent much of the race running fourth behind Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen.

The French driver was able to match the pace of the four-time world champion for significant periods, while Verstappen himself remained behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

Hadjar’s pace suggested that he could have challenged Piastri under different circumstances, but Red Bull’s strategic priorities remained focused on its lead driver. Hadjar nevertheless continued to manage his race without compromising his position.

Two safety-car restarts added further pressure, but the Frenchman remained composed. He avoided the mistakes that can quickly end a race on the unforgiving Baku circuit.

The decisive moment came when Piastri made a braking error under pressure from the Red Bulls. Hadjar immediately moved into third place and then defended the position against Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli.

A significant milestone in Hadjar’s career

The result gives Hadjar a podium that he considers particularly meaningful because it was built largely on his own race pace and consistency.

His previous period away from competition had interrupted his momentum, making the Baku result an important indication of how quickly he could regain his rhythm after injury.

Hadjar said he was pleased with the way he managed the weekend and emphasized that the gradual approach had allowed him to avoid mistakes while rebuilding confidence.

The result also adds another milestone to a rapid rise that began with his first full Formula 1 season at Racing Bulls before his move to Red Bull at the start of 2026.

Looking ahead to Malaysia

With his Red Bull future now secured and a podium immediately after his return, Hadjar heads into the next phase of the season with renewed momentum.

The Frenchman is already looking forward to the next race in Malaysia, where he will attempt to build on a comeback weekend that combined careful preparation, consistent pace and a strong finish.

For Hadjar, the Baku weekend ultimately delivered more than a return to the podium. It provided a competitive response after two months away from Formula 1 and added another significant chapter to his emerging career.