Key Highlights
- Isack Hadjar has missed three consecutive Formula 1 races — Zandvoort, Monza, and Madrid — due to a wrist injury sustained during the summer break training period.
- Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies confirms Hadjar’s recovery is proceeding normally with no setbacks; a return decision will follow a simulator evaluation in approximately one week.
- Liam Lawson has substituted for Hadjar at Red Bull Racing, scoring points in two of three starts, while Yuki Tsunoda has filled Lawson’s vacancy at Racing Bulls.
Hadjar’s Injury and Absence
French rookie Isack Hadjar has been sidelined since the summer break concluded, missing the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, and the Madrid round while recovering from a wrist injury sustained during training in the three-week hiatus. The 20-year-old had made an impressive start to his Red Bull Racing tenure, registering eight top-10 finishes — including a podium in Monaco — and out-qualifying four-time world champion Max Verstappen on three occasions. His absence has cost him not only championship points but also crucial mileage in the RB22 as the team continues to understand the new generation of machinery. Although Hadjar has attended races to analyze data, Red Bull acknowledges that track time remains irreplaceable for correlating upgrades with on-track feel.
Mekies Provides Recovery Update
Speaking after the Spanish Grand Prix, Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies offered a measured assessment of Hadjar’s condition, emphasizing that the recovery timeline aligns with medical expectations for the injury type.
“Isack is good… There is nothing wrong with Isack’s recovery. I think we have learned that it’s fundamentally normal time for the sort of injuries he has,”
Mekies stated. He outlined the process for the coming days:
“So, we will continue with the same approach than what we had, we will evaluate the situations in a weeks’ time, we have a full week, with more than a full week to evaluate the situation to see how he feels.”
The next step involves a simulator session to test Hadjar under realistic loads:
“And then to put him on the simulator, to expose him to real-life constraints… If he feels close to 100%, we go for it. If he feels the recovery is not completed, we will stick [with] our approach to put his recovery first.”
Mekies underscored the long-term perspective:
“What we don’t want to do is by having an early return, compromise his long-term capacity to come back to 100%.”
Impact on Championship and Team Dynamics
In Hadjar’s absence, the driver lineup has shifted significantly. Liam Lawson has stepped up to the senior Red Bull Racing seat, delivering points finishes in two of his three outings, while Yuki Tsunoda has moved from Racing Bulls to replace Lawson. Verstappen, meanwhile, has secured two podiums during this stretch, demonstrating the RB22’s underlying potential. The situation creates a complex decision matrix for Red Bull ahead of the upcoming triple-header: whether to reinstate Hadjar if he clears the simulator test, or to retain Lawson for continuity. The team has indicated it is comfortable delaying the final call until the last possible moment.
Historical Context: Wrist Injuries in Formula 1
Recent precedents offer varied recovery timelines. Lance Stroll suffered a bicycle accident before the 2023 season, fracturing his wrist and toe; he missed pre-season testing but competed in the opening round in Bahrain, scoring points despite the injuries. Daniel Ricciardo’s 2023 hand fracture — sustained in a practice crash at Zandvoort — required a longer absence of five Grands Prix, with Lawson serving as his replacement at that time. Hadjar’s current three-race absence falls between these two benchmarks, and Red Bull’s cautious stance reflects lessons learned from both cases.
Why This Matters
Hadjar’s injury interrupts a breakthrough rookie campaign that positioned him as a credible long-term asset for Red Bull’s driver pipeline. His ability to challenge Verstappen in qualifying signaled rare adaptability to the RB22’s characteristics. The team’s willingness to prioritize his full recovery over short-term results reflects a strategic investment in his development trajectory. Simultaneously, Lawson’s competent deputizing strengthens his own case for a 2025 seat, either at Red Bull Racing or Racing Bulls. The upcoming triple-header — Azerbaijan, Singapore, and Austin — represents a critical window for car development; the driver in the second Red Bull cockpit will directly influence upgrade correlation and constructors’ championship positioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Red Bull decide on Isack Hadjar’s return?
Laurent Mekies indicated the team will evaluate Hadjar’s condition in approximately one week, including a simulator session to assess his readiness under race-like loads. A final decision is expected before the next Grand Prix in Azerbaijan.
How has Liam Lawson performed in Hadjar’s absence?
Lawson has scored points in two of his three starts for Red Bull Racing at Zandvoort, Monza, and Madrid, demonstrating his capability in the senior team environment.
What is the nature of Hadjar’s wrist injury?
The source specifies that Hadjar hurt his wrist during training in the summer break. Mekies described the recovery timeline as “fundamentally normal time for the sort of injuries he has,” without detailing the specific diagnosis.
