Isack Hadjar confirmed as Max Verstappen's Red Bull team-mate for 2027 Formula 1 season ahead of Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Hadjar stepped up to Red Bull at the start of this year after an impressive debut campaign with Racing Bulls in 2025 but has missed the last three rounds due to a wrist injury he suffered during last month's summer break .

But the 21-year-old is now fit enough to drive and is back at this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which takes place on Saturday.

Red Bull had already announced last month that four-time world champion Verstappen signed a new contract to stay at the team until at least the end of 2030.

"We're very excited to continue our journey with Isack. Since joining us at the start of the year, he has been superb on and off track, especially considering this is only his second Formula 1 season, which made extending his contract an easy decision," said Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies.

"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.

"You could see from that first weekend in Melbourne that he handled the step up with remarkable composure and had earned his place in this seat."

The second Red Bull seat alongside Verstappen is widely regarded as the toughest on the F1 grid after several drivers including Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda all struggled against the Dutchman.

But, Hadjar has been closer to Verstappen than those drivers and has even got the better of his team-mate at times this season, so his seat has not come under scrutiny.

Despite missing the last three race weekends, Hadjar is still eighth in the Drivers' Championship and reclaimed his Monaco Grand Prix podium after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed Gasly's overturned speeding penalties.

"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," continued Mekies.

"We still have a lot we want to achieve this season, but it's a great feeling to know that the drivers, engineers and everyone back at the factory are all heading in the same direction, committed and together."

Thursday September 24 6.55am: F2 Practice 9am: Azerbaijan GP Practice One (session starts at 9.30am)* 10.55am: F2 Qualifying* 12pm: Team Bosses' Press Conference 12.30pm: Azerbaijan GP Practice Two (session starts at 1pm) 2.15pm: The F1 Show

Friday September 25 5.10am: F2 Sprint* 9.15am: Azerbaijan GP Practice Three (session starts at 9.30am)* 11.10am: F2 Feature Race 1* 12.30pm: Azerbaijan GP Qualifying build-up* 1PM: AZERBAIJAN GP QUALIFYING* 3pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook Saturday September 26 7.55am: F2 Feature Race 2 10.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Azerbaijan GP build-up* 12PM: THE AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX* 2pm: Chequered Flag: Azerbaijan GP reaction* 3pm: Ted's Notebook*

Racing on a Saturday! The 2026 Formula 1 season continues live on Sky Sports F1 this week as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicks off a triple-header of races, with the Baku race taking place on Saturday at midday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime