Hadjar thrilled with Baku podium after demanding return to F1

Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar said he was delighted after finishing third at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, securing his second podium of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Hadjar, who returned to racing in Baku after missing three rounds with a wrist injury, said he had gradually built confidence around the demanding street circuit throughout the weekend. Formula 1 had previously recorded his first podium with Red Bull at Monaco in June.

“I am happy. I feel strong, and this weekend I moved forward step by step. On this track (in Baku — ed.) you can very quickly end up in the wall, and I really did not need that. So I gradually built up my confidence, and that approach allowed me to achieve this result. This is my first podium, achieved through pure pace, so I am very pleased,” Hadjar said in a post-race interview.

Hadjar finished behind Mercedes winner George Russell and Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen.

By Tamilla Hasanova