Lawson returns to Racing Bulls as Red Bull confirms Hadjar for 2027
Words: Kyle Cassidy
Liam Lawson will return to Racing Bulls for this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Isack Hadjar cleared to resume racing and now confirmed alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull for 2027.
The Kiwi spent the past three rounds filling in for Hadjar, who injured his wrist during the summer break. Lawson scored sixth in the Netherlands and eighth in Spain during that stint and sits ninth in the drivers’ championship.
While the temporary promotion brought another opportunity with the senior team, Lawson says he’s looking forward to picking up where he left off at Racing Bulls.
“You like your own car so it’s a good feeling to be back in my car,” Lawson told F1 media.
“It was a good few races, but no it feels good to do the prep and to be back in my car, I’m excited.”
Lawson had been preparing for both possible drives while Hadjar’s recovery was assessed. Confirmation of the Frenchman’s return has now simplified his build-up to Baku.
The 24-year-old says adapting to the Red Bull was still a work in progress when his substitute stint ended.
“You’re just trying to play catch up. Each weekend I got more comfortable but by the end of it it’s not like I’m fully adapted to that car, so yeah I think it’s challenging in that way but I don’t feel it’s been long enough to really have lost anything that we’ve been focused on through the first part of the year with V-Carb [Racing Bulls].”
Baku brings good memories
Azerbaijan provided Lawson’s best result last season, when he finished fifth. That gives him reason to look forward to the weekend, although he’s cautious about expecting a repeat with this year’s different cars.
“I have no idea, I’m excited to find out though, I think it’s a track that we’ve gone very good at in the past, it was our strongest weekend last year but obviously this year it’s completely different so with these cars it’s going to be challenging.”
Lawson also pointed to the progress Racing Bulls made through the first half of the season, saying he was keen to reconnect with that work after three weekends away.
Hadjar secures another Red Bull season
Hadjar’s contract extension settles the senior team’s pairing for 2027, with Verstappen already signed until the end of 2030.
Promoted after his rookie season, Hadjar qualified third on his Red Bull debut in Australia and claimed a podium in Monaco. The team also highlighted a run of seven consecutive top-six finishes as evidence of his consistency.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies says Hadjar’s contribution away from race weekends helped make the extension an easy decision.
“From the very beginning, Isack immersed himself in the Team, spending every minute at the factory with his engineers to develop the car, always eager to learn and improve.”
Mekies also acknowledged the interruption caused by the injury.
“The period since his injury has been a difficult one for Isack, but this extension is a testament to how much we believe in him and we can’t wait to see him back out on track.”
Hadjar says he’s keen to build on his first season with the team.
“I’m constantly looking to listen, learn and push myself further every single day, which only makes me more excited about what lies ahead.”
The announcement closes off a full-time Red Bull seat for Lawson in 2027, but does not settle his own plans for next season. Elsewhere on the grid, Esteban Ocon says he will be a free agent next year, opening a vacancy at Haas.
