Red Bull Announces Substantial 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 championship.
Red Bull has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and handing British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become the partner of New Zealander 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 drove FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "raw pace".
Red Bull has been working since last year to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", adding: "Next season represents a big challenge, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver enjoys his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers of the year.
His performances included an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
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 number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can succeed alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "prepared".
The Lawson Decision
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the main team but was moved back after just two races. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's points total.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.