Red Bull Reveals Major 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Arvid Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 standings.
Red Bull has confirmed significant changes for the 2026 Grand Prix year, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
This reshuffling means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad drove FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been marked out as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "natural quickness".
The team prepared a programme for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, including runs in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", commenting: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is P6 in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers of the year.
He included an outstanding 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 demonstrated to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
Lawson Retains His Seat
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was moved back early in the year. However, he has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
