ISACK HADJAR TO RETURN FOR RED BULL AT AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX

Red Bull has confirmed that Isack Hadjar will return to the cockpit for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, ending a three-race absence caused by a wrist injury. The Frenchman, 21, injured his wrist while boxing and missed rounds in the Netherlands, at Monza and in Madrid. New Zealand's Liam Lawson deputised for Hadjar during that spell. In a statement, Red Bull said Hadjar has made a "full recovery" and will take back his seat for the Baku race, scheduled to run from 24 to 26 September. Lawson will now return to Red Bull's junior team, Racing Bulls.

Lawson's results while deputising were mixed across the three races. He finished seventh in Zandvoort and sixth in Madrid, but failed to score points at Monza after finishing fourteenth. Red Bull praised Lawson's "professionalism, dedication and hard work" over that period, saying he produced "impressive performances" under "challenging circumstances" and made "a valuable contribution to the team". Hadjar sustained his wrist injury while boxing, according to the team. With Hadjar cleared to return, Lawson goes back to Racing Bulls for the remainder of the season.

Hadjar will line up alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen when Red Bull returns to action in Baku. He currently sits eighth in the drivers' standings, having scored 71 points this season, according to Red Bull. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place from 24 to 26 September. Hadjar's return restores Red Bull's regular race-day line-up following the enforced change prompted by his injury.