Isack Hadjar is officially returning to Oracle Red Bull Racing for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from the wrist injury that kept him out of the previous three races.
First, welcome back, Isack. Watching a driver standing inside the paddock with a wrist brace while somebody else drives his car is never pleasant. Especially when that car belongs to Red Bull, a team where simply keeping your seat can occasionally feel like a separate championship.
The good news is that Isack has completed his recovery and will return alongside Sir Max Verstappen in Baku. I am genuinely excited to see him back, although the Castle section is a rather dramatic place to test a recently healed wrist.
I am sure ‘Baku’ does not believe in gentle introductions.
However, Isack’s return means Liam Lawson must hand the Red Bull back and return to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls. Normally, that would sound like the disappointing part of the story. This time, I think Liam can leave with his head held very high. Across his three substitute appearances, Lawson finished seventh at Zandvoort, 14th at Monza and sixth in Madrid. Two points finishes from three races, including his best result of the season at the Spanish Grand Prix, is a strong return from a driver who probably still experiences mild emotional damage whenever somebody says “Red Bull second seat.”
This was not the nervous Liam we saw during his extremely short Red Bull opportunity at the beginning of 2025. He looked calmer, more confident and far more comfortable inside the team. He qualified close to Max at Zandvoort, scored points twice and proved that his Formula 1 story should not be defined by two difficult weekends from last season.
Well done, Liam. Seriously. You did brilliant, mate.
Liam stepped into an uncomfortable situation, delivered respectable results and returned the car without starting a small fire inside Red Bull’s driver department. That alone deserves recognition.
Now he returns to Racing Bulls alongside Arvid Lindblad, and this is where the seating arrangement becomes slightly awkward. Arvid is having an impressive rookie season. He finished eighth at Monza and ninth in Madrid, collecting points while behaving as though being promoted into Formula 1 is a perfectly normal activity for a teenager. Apparently, nobody remembered to tell him and Kimi that rookies are supposed to look nervous.
Liam has just strengthened his reputation during three races with Red Bull. Arvid continues to prove that he belongs in Formula 1.
And then there is Yuki Tsunoda. Ahem…
Yuki temporarily returned to the Racing Bulls seat while Liam replaced Isack. Now Liam is coming back, which means Yuki returns to his reserve role. The official 2026 arrangement is clear: Isack partners Max at Red Bull, while Liam and Arvid race for Racing Bulls. Yuki remains available to both teams.
Yuki has spent years inside the Red Bull family, fought his way into the senior team and then lost his full-time seat. When Isack was injured, Yuki answered the call and returned immediately. Now Isack is healthy, Liam has proved his point, and Arvid is collecting points. Does that mean no more Yuki?
This is beginning to feel less like driver management and more like musical chairs organised by Redbull ha! ha!
I am happy Isack Hadjar is returning. He earned that Red Bull drive and deserves the opportunity to continue building his season. I am also happy Liam used these three races to show that he can handle the pressure far better than people sometimes assume.
But I feel for Yuki.
For now, Baku belongs to Isack again. Liam leaves the senior team with two points finishes and some personal redemption. Arvid keeps building his reputation, while Yuki returns to the garage and waits for another opportunity.
Welcome back, Isack. Well done, Liam.
And Yuki, please keep your helmet nearby. With Red Bull, the music can stop at any moment.
aKi Malik
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