Nico Rosberg has detailed the significant physical challenges facing Isack Hadjar. The 2016 world champion described driving with the Red Bull driver’s current injury as a ‘horrible’ experience, providing context to his extended time away from the cockpit.
Hadjar sustained a fractured left wrist during a training session over the summer break. The injury has forced him to miss the last three Grands Prix at Zandvoort, Monza, and most recently in Madrid, following his impressive debut season with the senior Red Bull team.
Liam Lawson, from the sister Racing Bulls team, has substituted for Hadjar alongside Max Verstappen for all three events. This has led to some discussion regarding the length of the French driver’s recovery period, which Rosberg addressed directly.
‘It’s really horrible to drive with a wrist injury,’ Rosberg stated. ‘We’ve seen Lance Stroll do that a few years ago, incredibly, and because of the G-forces and everything, it’s so extreme.’
Rosberg explained a specific difficulty that drivers face, which is often overlooked. He noted the intense forces experienced during braking, where a driver must brace themselves against the steering wheel to counteract their body moving forward in the seatbelts.
‘You’re pushing very hard against the steering wheel, which, if your wrist is broken, you can’t do that,’ he added. ‘You’ll be in too much pain.’
Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies has affirmed the team’s position on the matter. Mekies stated that the decision for Hadjar to miss the recent races was straightforward, as the driver did not feel he was at 100 percent physical capacity.
‘We always said we would prioritise him coming back at 100 per cent,’ Mekies confirmed. He also mentioned there is nothing abnormal about the recovery timeline for the type of injury Hadjar sustained.
The team is hopeful that Hadjar will be fit to return for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, his condition will first be evaluated in the team’s simulator to assess his readiness under realistic constraints before a final decision is made.
