Key Highlights
- Isack Hadjar finished third at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after Oscar Piastri’s late lock-up.
- Alex Brundle praised Hadjar’s “exceptional comeback” and his compliance with Red Bull team orders.
- Red Bull secured a double podium, with Max Verstappen finishing second and the team sitting fourth in the constructors’ standings.
Isack Hadjar earns praise after Azerbaijan Grand Prix podium
Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar delivered what F1 TV pundit Alex Brundle described as an “exceptional comeback” to finish third at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The result came as Hadjar returned to the cockpit after a wrist injury and followed the announcement of his newly signed Red Bull contract for 2027.
Hadjar took advantage of a late lock-up by McLaren driver Oscar Piastri to claim the final podium place. His result completed a double podium for Red Bull alongside second-place finisher Max Verstappen, strengthening the team’s position in a closely contested constructors’ championship.
Speaking during F1 TV’s post-race broadcast, Brundle highlighted Hadjar’s pace throughout the weekend and his willingness to follow team instructions. Red Bull had told Hadjar to remain behind Verstappen, and Brundle said the reigning team leader would likely have finished ahead regardless of how the situation developed.
“This way or that way, I think Max would have ended up generously ahead of Hadjar at the end of the race,” Brundle explained. “And as it played out, he probably would have passed him pretty quickly when he was on the soft tyre.
“But Hadjar really had an exceptional comeback today and has earned himself some good team-mate points for playing the game and he demonstrated amazing pace this weekend.
“If you want to have a comeback from an injury with a new contract in your hands, that’s the one to have, and he thoroughly deserved the podium. In fact, as a pair of drivers, the best in the field today.”
Damon Hill praises Red Bull’s resilience
Former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill, who joined Brundle on the broadcast, also commended Hadjar’s recovery after his injury absence. Hill described Red Bull as a team that remains capable of challenging at the front despite changes across its management structure.
“Incredible recovery from Isack Hadjar to bounce back after his injury and being away. They were a strong team. You can never discount Red Bull.
“They are an aggressive attacking racing team who take chances. They’re always fighting for things, and they’re incredible. You have to say they’ve been through so many different iterations of management and goodness knows what, but they’re still there fighting.”
Red Bull’s championship position after Baku
Verstappen is currently sixth in the drivers’ championship with 163 points, while Hadjar occupies eighth place with 86 points. Red Bull is fourth in the constructors’ standings on 263 points.
The team’s total includes points scored by Liam Lawson while he stepped in for the injured Hadjar. Hadjar’s podium in Azerbaijan therefore provided a significant return after his absence and added momentum to Red Bull’s ongoing championship campaign.
Why This Matters
Hadjar’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix podium combined three important developments for Red Bull: a strong result for the team, a successful return from injury and an early indication of the value the driver can provide under his 2027 contract. Brundle’s comments also underline the significance of Hadjar’s pace and his ability to support Red Bull’s team strategy while racing alongside Verstappen.
With Verstappen and Hadjar both contributing to Red Bull’s current driver line-up and the team fourth in the constructors’ standings, the Azerbaijan result gives the Milton Keynes outfit a double podium and additional evidence of its competitiveness. The points scored by Hadjar also help separate his own championship position from the period in which Lawson replaced him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Isack Hadjar at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
Isack Hadjar finished third after Oscar Piastri suffered a late lock-up. Hadjar had returned to racing after a wrist injury.
What did Alex Brundle say about Isack Hadjar?
Alex Brundle praised Hadjar’s “exceptional comeback,” his pace and his willingness to follow Red Bull team orders. Brundle said Hadjar had earned “some good team-mate points for playing the game.”
Where are Red Bull, Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar in the championship?
Red Bull is fourth in the constructors’ standings with 263 points. Max Verstappen is sixth in the drivers’ championship with 163 points, while Isack Hadjar is eighth with 86 points.
