Now, that is how you make a comeback. Isack Hadjar returned to Formula 1 during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from a wrist injury sustained during the summer break, turning a cautious start into an absolute stunner of a result.
After taking a steady approach in practice to build up confidence on a track famous for having zero margin for error, Hadjar planted his machine fourth in Qualifying. That put him right ahead of Red Bull team mate Max Verstappen on the grid. Even when he let the charging four-time World Champion through in the opening laps, Hadjar stayed with him, ultimately claiming third place after Oscar Piastri made a mistake at Turn 1 in the closing stages.
Team Principal Laurent Mekies was left thoroughly impressed, describing the performance simply as "outstanding". Speaking about the physical recovery, Mekies noted that the priority was always waiting for Hadjar to be at one hundred percent and feeling no pain in the car. Stepping straight back into the cockpit on a street circuit like Baku is no small ask, but the Frenchman built his rhythm session by session with immense positive energy.
That calmness was on full display during the race, when Hadjar calmly insisted over the radio that he did not want to fight Verstappen and compromise both of their races. Mekies pointed to that exact moment as proof of the clever racing, emotional control, and developing brain capacity that has been impressing the team day in and day out.
It is an upward trajectory that has clearly paid off, with confirmation that Hadjar has been retained by Red Bull for 2027 following a sophomore season where his pace has steadily improved, adding this result to a previous podium in Monaco.
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