Isack Hadjar will be back driving for Red Bull at this week’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a “successful recovery” from the wrist injury which kept him out of three Formula 1 races, the team said Tuesday.

Hadjar injured his wrist during F1’s mid-season break, reportedly during a boxing workout, and was sidelined with a splint on his arm as he recovered.

Liam Lawson took over Hadjar’s car for the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grand Prix races, while Yuki Tsunoda returned to F1 in Lawson’s usual seat at Racing Bulls.

“Oracle Red Bull Racing is delighted to welcome Isack back this weekend. Having made a successful recovery from his wrist injury, Isack will return to action at the Baku City Circuit on Thursday,” Red Bull said.

“The team would sincerely like to thank Liam for this professionalism, dedication and hard work over the past three races. Stepping in under challenging circumstances, he delivered some impressive performances and made a valuable contribution to the team. We wish him all the very best as he returns to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.”

Isack Hadjar returns for Red Bull at Azerbaijan GP after missing 3 F1 races with injury | iNFOnews.ca — FILE – Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar prepares for the first practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)

This week’s race in Azerbaijan is, unusually, on a Saturday because of a public holiday. That means practice on Thursday and qualifying Friday.

Lawson adapted fast on his return to Red Bull as Max Verstappen’s teammate, with a best finish of sixth in Madrid this month. It was a strong statement from the New Zealander after he was dropped by Red Bull two races into the 2025 season.

Verstappen said Lawson and Tsunoda’s ability to be “immediately competitive” in unfamiliar cars was a sign that this season’s F1 cars — which Verstappen has repeatedly criticized — are “numb to your driver inputs” and offer limited ways for the best drivers to distinguish themselves.

During his absence, Hadjar was reinstated to third place at the Monaco Grand Prix after appeals about penalties issued to Alpine’s Pierre Gasly. That was a first podium finish at Red Bull for Hadjar and matched his career-best result from last year’s Dutch Grand Prix, when he was at Racing Bulls.

___

See AP’s full auto racing coverage here