Isack Hadjar has admitted his relief at the prospect of returning to his Red Bull cockpit Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Hadjar has been a notable absence from the F1 grid, missing the last three races due a wrist injury.
Liam Lawson has temporarily replaced the young Frenchman, impressing with his speed and consistent points finishes while Hadjar was forced to simply stand back and watch.
That spell of inactivity will end in Baku this weekend, as Hadjar returns to his Red Bull seat, with a weight of expectancy on his shoulders given the team’s recent momentum.
Confirming his excitement, Hadjar offered insight into having to adapt to attending races yet not taking part on on-track action.
“I’m just so excited to get back into my car,” Hadjar said.
“The last month has been tricky for me; it’s the first time in my life that I’ve not been racing and that’s a weird feeling to get used to.
Isack Hadjar “focused on recovery”
Hadjar confirmed his motivation to get back in the cockpit underlined efforts to fully recover, as speculation over how long he would need to get back in the RB22 grew.
“As soon as I suffered the injury, I’ve been fully focused on my recovery so I can get back as quickly as possible.
“I want to thank Laurent and the team for their patience throughout this process; it was important not to rush the decision.”
Baku will be a challenging weekend for Hadjar, returning at a track that demands maximum concentration and effort from drivers.
His performance and results will be closely watched by those both in and external to Red Bull, as they compare to Lawson’s very respectable exploits during his second unexpected second tenure at the team.
Discussion about this post