Red Bull Announces Substantial 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Promoted, Teenager Lindblad Earns Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener currently sitting tenth in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
Red Bull has confirmed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
These changes means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive following a five-year stint.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen participated in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was tagged 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 previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", commending his "natural quickness".
The team prepared a programme since last year to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "huge honour", commenting: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
Hadjar's F1 career began in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up 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 podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Isack has shown great maturity and proved to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an awesome move" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he merits another season.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, loses his place after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's points total.
These announcements confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
