Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, Teenager Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener currently sitting tenth in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
The Red Bull team has confirmed a new line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
These changes sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad took part in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been identified as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the team's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "pure speed".
The team prepared a programme for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, including appearances in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", adding: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm eager to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
He has won two races in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the standings ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
Hadjar's F1 career started in difficult fashion when he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
His performances featured an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has shown impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was demoted after just two races. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
