Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting 10th in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
The Red Bull team has revealed significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
The young driver, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
These changes means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
The British teen participated in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been identified as a potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the team's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "raw pace".
The team prepared a programme for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", adding: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to work closely with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
Isack Hadjar enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
Hadjar's F1 career began on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out rookies of the year.
His performances included an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has shown great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
The Lawson Decision
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the main team but was demoted early in the year. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's points total.
These announcements confirm that there is also no place on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
