Isack Hadjar Returns to Red Bull at Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Lawson and Tsunoda Reshuffled

Red Bull Racing has officially announced its lineup for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Isack Hadjar returning after a wrist injury. The French driver will step into the RB21 alongside Max Verstappen, while Liam Lawson returns to VCARB and Yuki Tsunoda continues in a reserve role. The announcement came on September 18, 2026, just days before the race in Baku. Hadjar missed the last three races after sustaining a wrist injury during a physical training session in Milton Keynes. He underwent minor surgery and a six-week rehabilitation process. His return is good news for the Austrian team, but it also raises questions about his form and fitness. Isack Hadjar, 21, has been a member of the Red Bull Junior Team since 2026. He had an impressive F2 season in 2026, winning the championship and earning promotion to F1. In his first year, he scored 12 points in the first five races, showing speed and maturity. However, the wrist injury interrupted his development. During Hadjar's absence, Liam Lawson was called up from VCARB to fill the second seat. The 23-year-old New Zealander impressed Red Bull management by scoring 18 points in three races, including a podium in Monaco. He finished third in Monaco after starting eighth, a performance highly praised by experts. He also finished seventh at the Dutch Grand Prix, while Verstappen retired. However, Lawson's long-term future at the main team is not guaranteed. His contract with Red Bull expires at the end of the 2026 season, and there is no sign of renewal yet. Lawson will return to VCARB to continue his development, but his performance has put pressure on Hadjar. If Hadjar does not perform well, Lawson could be his replacement in the future. Yuki Tsunoda, who was a full-time VCARB driver, has also been reshuffled. The 25-year-old Japanese driver has had four consistent seasons at VCARB but has never been promoted to Red Bull. He had the opportunity to race for Racing Bulls in the last two races and scored 6 valuable points. Returning to a reserve role may frustrate him, but he remains an important part of the Red Bull system. Tsunoda will continue to support the team in testing and could be called upon if needed. The decision comes amid Red Bull's struggles in the 2026 season. Max Verstappen remains an irreplaceable pillar, but the over-reliance on the reigning world champion has exposed risks. At the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen crashed into the wall and retired, while Lawson was the only Red Bull driver to finish, crossing the line in seventh. This result shows that if Verstappen encounters problems, Red Bull is almost out of contention. Hadjar's return is expected to help Red Bull stabilize in the Constructors' Championship fight. However, the challenge for the 21-year-old is significant. This year's Azerbaijan Grand Prix is a sprint weekend, meaning Hadjar will have only one practice session on Friday before qualifying. He will need to re-familiarize himself with the car, the demanding Baku circuit, and the pressure of a top team. Doctors have confirmed Hadjar is fit to race, but the risk of re-injury remains. The wrist is crucial for an F1 driver, especially when dealing with tight corners and heavy braking at Baku. Hadjar will need time to regain his feel and confidence. For Lawson, returning to VCARB is not necessarily a step back. The team is in good form, and Lawson will have the chance to prove himself in a less pressurized environment. If he continues to score points and beat his teammate, Red Bull will be forced to reconsider his future. Lawson's contract with Red Bull expires at the end of the 2026 season, and there is no sign of renewal yet. Tsunoda's case is also noteworthy. The Japanese driver has had four consistent seasons at VCARB but has never been promoted to Red Bull. Being pushed back into a reserve role after scoring points could be the last straw. Tsunoda is reportedly seeking opportunities outside Red Bull, possibly at Aston Martin or Alpine. His contract expires at the end of 2026. Red Bull currently sits third in the Constructors' Championship with 245 points, 78 behind McLaren and 22 behind Ferrari. With eight races remaining, the Austrian team still has a chance to compete, but they need both drivers to score consistently. Hadjar has 12 points in the first five races, a decent start but not enough to secure his position. Team principal Christian Horner is optimistic about Hadjar's return. 'He has worked very hard during his recovery,' Horner said. 'We believe in Isack's ability and will provide the best conditions for him to shine. This is an opportunity for him to prove he deserves this seat.' Regarding Lawson, Horner praised: 'Liam did very well when given the opportunity. He is a talented driver, and we will continue to monitor his progress at VCARB. His future remains open.' Tsunoda expressed his frustration on social media: 'I will continue to work hard and wait for my opportunity.' But many sources suggest he is exploring other options. Points to watch in the coming period include: Hadjar's pace in Baku, especially compared to Verstappen in practice and qualifying; Lawson's performance at VCARB; Tsunoda's comments; and official announcements about Red Bull's 2026 lineup. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will take place from September 19 to 21, 2026. It is the 17th round of the season. With Hadjar back, Red Bull hopes to find stability and close the gap to its rivals. The race in Baku always holds surprises, and this time it is even more special with Hadjar returning from injury. Can he meet expectations? Will Lawson continue to apply pressure? And how will Tsunoda react? All will be answered in the coming days. Red Bull has gone through several second drivers since Verstappen joined the team in 2026. Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Sergio Perez have all filled the role. Perez had four consistent seasons but declined in 2026 and was replaced by Hadjar at the start of 2026. Finding a teammate who can support Verstappen in the championship fight is a difficult task. Hadjar was expected to be the solution, but the injury disrupted his adaptation. The Baku City Circuit is 6.003 km long, one of the most challenging tracks on the F1 calendar. With a mix of long straights and tight corners, it demands a balance between speed and precision. Drivers face extreme braking pressure and a high risk of collision. It is not an ideal place to return from a wrist injury. This year's Azerbaijan Grand Prix is the fourth sprint weekend of the season. In this format, teams have only one practice session on Friday before sprint qualifying in the afternoon. The sprint race is on Saturday, and the main race on Sunday. This means Hadjar will have very little time to re-acclimate to the car and the track. This change could trigger a chain reaction in the driver market. If Lawson continues to perform well, he could attract interest from other teams. Conversely, if Hadjar struggles, Red Bull may need to find a new driver for 2026. Tsunoda is also a name to watch, as he is reportedly in contact with Aston Martin and Alpine. With eight races remaining, every point becomes precious. Red Bull needs to maximize both drivers' results to close the gap to McLaren and Ferrari. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with its unique track characteristics, could offer a big scoring opportunity, but it is also full of risks. This article compiles information from Red Bull Racing's official statement and reputable sources. Details may change based on actual events.