Red Bull Reveals Substantial 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Lindblad Gets Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 standings.
The Red Bull team has revealed a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and handing British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
This driver musical chairs sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
The British teen took part in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was marked out as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the company's young driver programme, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "natural quickness".
The team has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring appearances in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "huge honour", commenting: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 this year and is P6 in the championship heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race this season.
Hadjar's F1 career began on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
He featured an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has shown great maturity 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 thrive alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the senior squad but was moved back early in the year. He has found his form at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.
The Japanese driver, 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.
These announcements mean that there is also no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
