Hadjar hails ‘first proper podium’ with P3 in Baku after ‘very long six weeks’ on the sidelines

Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar was all smiles after completing his comeback from a “very long six weeks” on the sidelines with a podium finish at the Baku City Circuit.

Hadjar missed events at Zandvoort, Monza and the all-new Madring track over the last month, having injured his wrist while training in the summer break.

However, the Frenchman got the green light to compete again in Azerbaijan, where he gradually built his speed throughout practice before qualifying fourth and racing his way to third place.

It marked Hadjar’s third podium in F1, but the first that he feels was earned “on pure pace”, given that he gained from Lando Norris’ retirement at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix, while representing Racing Bulls, and from Pierre Gasly’s penalties in Monaco earlier this year.

Sharing his thoughts post-race, Hadjar beamed: “I’m happy. It’s been a very long six weeks. It’s been like six weeks since I enjoyed myself.

“I think it was the right time to come back. I felt strong. This weekend I really took it step by step. It’s a track where you can end up in the wall really quickly, and I didn’t need that, to gain the confidence. It was a very slow build-up, but it brought me here.

“I’m very, very happy for an actual first proper podium on pure pace. I’m very, very delighted.”

Hadjar was further boosted by his recovering wrist holding up well across 51 laps of racing on Saturday afternoon – as a busy final phase of the 2026 season looms.

“I’m completely satisfied,” he said. “Even though it’s a bit numb, I’m happy. I’m really looking forward to getting racing [again]. It’s going to be a very packed schedule. I can’t wait to be in Sepang.”