Red Bull Announces Major 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 championship.
Red Bull has confirmed a major reshuffle for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
These changes results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat post a half-decade in F1.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad took part in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been tagged as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the team's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", commending his "natural quickness".
Red Bull prepared a programme since last year to prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", adding: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the standings ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race this season.
Hadjar's F1 career started in difficult fashion when he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has been one of the most impressive rookies this season.
His performances included an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has shown impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the senior squad but was demoted after just two races. He has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a difficult season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total.
The driver market moves confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
