Isack Hadjar’s prolonged absence from the Formula 1 grid underscores the severity of his fractured wrist, with Red Bull prioritizing a full recovery ahead of any premature return.
The French driver has now missed three consecutive Grands Prix, including Monza and Madrid, as the team waits for him to confirm he is truly fit to race.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies made it clear that the decision to keep Hadjar sidelined was straightforward. “It was an easy one,” Mekies told Sky Sports, emphasizing that the only criterion was whether Hadjar felt 100 percent ready. “We always said we would prioritise him coming back at 100 per cent.” The team remains hopeful he will be ready for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but the final assessment will hinge on simulator sessions and Hadjar’s own feedback.
Hadjar’s injury timeline is notably longer than that of Lance Stroll, who fractured his wrist in a cycling accident in 2023 but made a return to racing just two weeks later-though he did miss the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix for additional procedures. Nico Rosberg, 2016 world champion, offered insight into the challenges Hadjar faces. Speaking to Sky Sports, Rosberg detailed the brutal physical demands placed on a driver’s wrist under race conditions. “It’s really horrible to drive with a wrist injury,” he said. “Because of the G-forces and everything, it’s so extreme. When you’re braking, you fly forwards in the seat belts, and you have to push against the steering wheel, otherwise your body just flies forwards.”
Rosberg highlighted the intense pressure drivers must exert on the steering wheel to maintain control, a task impossible to endure without full wrist strength. “If your wrist is broken, you can’t do that; you’ll be in too much pain,” he explained.
Despite the extended recovery period, Mekies reassured that Hadjar’s rehabilitation is progressing normally. “There is nothing wrong with Isack’s recovery,” Mekies told PlanetF1.com and other media. “It’s fundamentally a normal time for the sort of injuries he has, so we will continue with the same approach.” The team plans to reassess Hadjar’s condition in a week, evaluating his physical readiness before subjecting him to race-like conditions in the simulator. “If he feels close to 100 per cent, we go for it. If he feels the recovery is not completed, we will stick on our approach to put his recovery first,” Mekies confirmed.
Hadjar has yet to comment publicly on his progress. Meanwhile, Red Bull remains cautious, fully aware that rushing a return could jeopardize not only the driver’s health but also the team’s performance on track. The upcoming weeks will be critical in determining whether the promising French talent can rejoin the fiercely competitive Formula 1 field at Baku.