Max Verstappen has endorsed Red Bull’s decision to retain Isack Hadjar for the 2027 season, saying the move “made perfect sense” as the French driver prepares to return from a wrist injury at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
Red Bull confirmed Hadjar’s contract renewal ahead of this weekend’s race, keeping the 2025 rookie in the seat he earned following a successful debut campaign with Racing Bulls. Hadjar has missed the last three races due to his wrist injury, with reserve arrangements disrupting Racing Bulls’ lineup in his absence.
“I get on very well with him, it’s good that we have continuation and we can just focus on the races ahead,” Verstappen said during Wednesday’s media day in Baku. “I think as a team we are very happy about that. I think Racing Bulls is happy about that because they can go back to their normal structure and focus on their job. Just happy that Isack is able to drive again because it’s his seat.”
Verstappen has reached the podium at four of the last five Grands Prix under the new-for-2026 regulations but has yet to take a race victory this season. The four-time world champion, who has won twice previously on the Baku street circuit, was candid about Red Bull’s competitive deficit to Mercedes and McLaren.
“I hope that we can be in that mix of fighting for the podium because the last few races have been going quite well,” Verstappen said. “Of course I want to win instead of joining in on the podium celebrations. Hopefully we can still win one race this year but I know it’s tough.”
Verstappen acknowledged that Red Bull’s recent results have been achieved through strategic execution rather than outright speed. “There’s not really been a race where it felt like there was a proper shot in terms of race pace. Even the last two podiums we’ve had, if you look at the race pace we’ve been most of the time fourth best on pace.”
Despite incremental progress, Verstappen made clear the car still requires significant development. “The car is probably a little bit more together the last few weekends but it’s not fast enough so we need to work on improving the car overall,” he said.