Laurent Mekies Confirms No Setbacks in Isack Hadjar's Recovery

Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies has provided an update on driver Isack Hadjar, who has been sidelined due to a wrist injury sustained during the summer break. Having missed the races at Zandvoort, Monza, and Madrid, Hadjar's absence has been felt, but Mekies assures that his recovery is proceeding as planned. In the interim, Liam Lawson has filled Hadjar's seat at Red Bull, with Yuki Tsunoda stepping up at Racing Bulls.

After the Spanish Grand Prix, Mekies clarified that Hadjar’s recovery is on schedule with no complications. "Isack is good," Mekies said. "There is nothing wrong with Isack's recovery. I think we have learned that it's fundamentally normal time for the sort of injuries he has."

Mekies emphasized that the team is taking a cautious approach, allowing Hadjar the necessary time to recover fully before considering his return. "We will evaluate the situation in a week’s time," Mekies stated. "We want to ensure he feels close to 100% before he gets back in the car. What we don't want to do is by having an early return, compromise his long-term capacity to come back to 100%."

Hadjar has shown promise since joining Red Bull, with eight top-10 finishes and a podium at Monaco in his debut season. He even out-qualified his teammate Max Verstappen three times, a notable feat for any rookie. Despite missing recent races, Hadjar has stayed involved, attending races and analyzing data, although nothing replicates the experience of being behind the wheel.

In his absence, Verstappen has secured two podiums, showcasing the RB22's potential, while Lawson has managed to score points twice in his three races with the team. Mekies is in no rush to make a decision about Hadjar's return for the upcoming triple-header, indicating the team will prioritize the driver's health.

The situation isn't unique in F1; wrist injuries have sidelined drivers before. Lance Stroll returned quickly from a wrist injury in 2023, scoring points despite the setback. On the other hand, Daniel Ricciardo missed five Grands Prix after a hand injury the same year, with Lawson substituting for him as well.

In conclusion, while Red Bull hopes for Hadjar's swift return, they remain committed to his complete recovery before any decision is made about his return to racing.