Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has indicated the team will maintain its cautious stance regarding Isack Hadjar's return from injury, refusing to accelerate his comeback despite his recovery progressing as expected. The decision on whether Hadjar competes at next week's Azerbaijan Grand Prix will hinge on comprehensive medical evaluations and simulator work scheduled over the coming days.
Hadjar has been absent from competition for three consecutive races following a wrist injury sustained during pre-season training ahead of the sport's resumption after the summer shutdown. Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson has filled the void left by his absence, with Yuki Tsunoda continuing to operate the sister team's second car.
Speaking in the aftermath of last Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix, Mekies outlined the structured approach Red Bull is taking to assess Hadjar's readiness. The team has scheduled simulator sessions designed to expose him to the physical and mental demands of racing before making a final determination.
There is nothing wrong with Isack's recovery. I think we have learned that it's fundamentally a normal time for the sort of injuries he has,
Mekies explained, emphasising that the injury timeline aligns with medical expectations for this type of damage.
So, we will continue with the same approach and what we have. We will evaluate the situation in a week's time. We have a full week, a bit more than a full week, to evaluate situations, to see how he feels and then to put him on the simulator, to expose him to real-life constraints.
The Red Bull principal stressed that any decision to race would only come if Hadjar demonstrates near-complete recovery. The team's priority remains safeguarding his long-term fitness rather than risking a premature return that could compromise his future availability.
And if he feels close to 100 per cent, we go for it. If he feels the recovery is not completed, we will stick to our approach to put his recovery first. What we don't want to do is, by having an early return, compromise his long-term capacity to come back to 100 per cent.
According to BBC Sport, Red Bull stated on 2 September that Hadjar remained "not yet ready" to return, though his recovery was "progressing positively." The team is now waiting for a final medical examination in the week before Baku to determine his participation status.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held on a street circuit in Baku, marks the opening race of a triple-header sequence, with Malaysia and Singapore following in the subsequent two weekends. Red Bull's decision is expected very close to race weekend, as the final assessment window falls immediately before competition begins on 24-26 September.
Lawson delivering consistent performances in temporary role
Lawson has stepped up from Racing Bulls to cover for Hadjar, returning to a Red Bull seat he briefly occupied during an unsuccessful two-race stint at the start of the 2025 season. His recent performances have impressed the team's hierarchy, with the New Zealander demonstrating marked improvement compared to his earlier campaign.
The 23-year-old has qualified eighth on two occasions and scored points at both Zandvoort and Madrid, where he finished sixth. His contributions have provided valuable championship points during a critical period of the season.
I think he's done a very good job. I think we all know how difficult it is to jump to a different team, to a different car, and I think he has done that to the best of what could have been our expectations.
Mekies said, acknowledging the challenge of adapting to unfamiliar machinery mid-season.
He has taken some very important points with the P6. He did the same in Zandvoort, and in Monza he would have done something similar without the contact with Nico Hulkenberg and the damage.
The Red Bull principal highlighted how Lawson's current form contrasts sharply with his earlier struggles in the team, when he appeared overwhelmed by the demands of driving for the championship-leading outfit.
So, I think he did a very good job. Again, very different pictures compared to the first races of 2025 when he was in the team, so we are thankful and happy with that.
Lawson has spent the past year rebuilding his confidence and racecraft at Racing Bulls, establishing himself as a consistent points scorer before his unexpected temporary promotion. His development trajectory has been notably positive, with the driver showing increased maturity in his approach to both racing and team interaction.
I think he has continued to grow as a driver. He's very calm in the car; he's very focused.
Mekies observed, noting the mental composure Lawson brings to his performances.
He's certainly making... I don't know if he makes an effort or not, but he's certainly managed to keep things simple in the way he tracks with the team and in the way he tackles his own performance and the car performance. So, he's focused on the essentials; he tries to get the basics right, and it's working for him. Of course, with more time in the car, you can then get to another degree of finesse, maybe. But I think that, of course, is very, very strong.
Mekies, who has worked with Lawson across both Red Bull teams, praised the driver's ability to prioritise fundamental performance elements rather than overcomplicating his approach. This disciplined methodology has translated into tangible results on track, with Lawson demonstrating the consistency that eluded him during his initial Red Bull tenure.
What happens next
Red Bull will conduct simulator running and a final medical check during the week preceding the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with the return decision likely materialising immediately before the race weekend begins. If Hadjar fails to demonstrate near-complete fitness, Red Bull has committed to keeping him sidelined rather than risking his long-term recovery for a single event.
