Isack Hadjar broke his wrist on a punching bag during the summer break. Three races later and he still hasn't driven. The injury has quietly turned into Red Bull's biggest problem for 2027.
First off, the injury is worse than they initially said. Hadjar has missed three races: Zandvoort, Monza, and Madrid. He was in the paddock in Madrid which was reassuring, but he was still wearing a substantial brace and there are now reports of tendon damage in his wrist. Mekies won't confirm Hadjar will be driving in Baku, and he shouldn't if he's still recovering. Mekies said himself that he doesn't want Isack driving unless he is at 100%.
While Hadjar has been recovering, Lawson has been getting better in the Red Bull car. He got seventh in Zandvoort, fourteenth in Monza, and then sixth in Madrid this past weekend, his best finish in a Red Bull, and he did it after an unfavorable VSC.
Tsunoda is doing the same thing one garage down. He was dropped at the end of last season by Red Bull and became the reserve driver for the team. Now he is back on the grid with Racing Bulls and is scoring points.
As for F2 drivers, Tsolov is coming. He is leading the F2 championship as a rookie. Permane said in Madrid that Tsolov is having a great season but no decision is imminent. Which is code for a decision is coming.
As for the maths, five drivers are in the mix: Lawson, Hadjar, Lindblad, Tsunoda, and Tsolov behind them. Two Racing Bulls seats and one Red Bull seat. Verstappen is the only driver signed beyond 2026 among them.
And on top of that, there's no time. Baku starts a triple header: Azerbaijan, then Malaysia, then Singapore. Three weekends back to back with a driver who may or may not be fit and a stand-in who is outperforming expectations.
Hadjar's wrist was supposed to cost him one race. It's now cost him three, and it may end up costing him or someone else a seat.