Red Bull Confirms Substantial 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Lindblad Gets Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is 10th in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 championship.
The Austrian squad has confirmed significant changes for the 2026 Grand Prix year, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
This reshuffling results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat after five seasons.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen participated in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been marked out as a potential future star 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", praising his "natural quickness".
The team has been working for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", adding: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver enjoys his first podium in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
He included an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has displayed impressive growth and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can succeed alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "an awesome move" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
The Lawson Decision
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was moved back after just two races. He has found his form at the junior outfit with notable results, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's points total.
The driver market moves mean that there is also no place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
