Hadjar Surges to Third in Baku After Wrist Injury Layoff
NXTbets Pro | Published On: September 29, 2026
Hadjar returns
Isack Hadjar came back for Red Bull in Baku and finished third in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing three races with a wrist injury. It was his first drive since Budapest and he qualified fourth before turning that starting position into a podium. The result gave him his second podium finish of the season. Hadjar said the time away from racing gave him a clearer view of Red Bull’s recent car development, a perspective that came only after being forced to watch from the sidelines. He also said the third-place finish felt like a result he could not have improved much. Hadjar described the weekend as a clean one built on real pace rather than circumstance.
Baku podium
The Baku podium carried extra weight for Hadjar because he said it came from a clean weekend and real pace. He said the result meant more to him than his Monaco finish because this one came through pace rather than chaos or outside help. Hadjar also said the weekend should give him confidence for the next races. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies called the weekend outstanding. Mekies said Hadjar felt no pain in the car during the weekend, praised the calm way he handled radio traffic and pointed to his teamwork with Max Verstappen. He also said Hadjar gave up track position when asked. Mekies tied that performance to Hadjar’s growth and to Red Bull’s confidence in extending his contract through 2027. He also linked the drive to Red Bull’s decision to keep Hadjar out for three races after the summer break until he was fully fit.
Verstappen orders
Red Bull’s biggest flashpoint in Baku came when team orders put Hadjar alongside Verstappen in a strategic moment. Hadjar asked to be waved past Verstappen because he believed he had stronger pace and wanted to chase Oscar Piastri. The team held both drivers in position until a safety car changed the strategy, then the pit stops reshaped the order again. After the stops, Verstappen switched to soft tires and Hadjar went to mediums, which altered the balance between them as the race moved into its next phase.
