Red Bull Reveals Substantial 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Arvid Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 standings.
The Austrian squad has revealed significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and handing British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
This reshuffling sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
The New British Hope
The British teen drove first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the team's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", commending his "pure speed".
Red Bull prepared a programme since last year to prepare Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", commenting: "Next season represents a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm ready to work closely 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 championship heading into 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.
The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies this season.
His performances included an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Isack 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 thrive next to Max."
Hadjar described it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. However, he has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he merits another season.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's points total.
The driver market moves confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
