Red Bull Announces Major 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Elevated, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Gets Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 championship.
The Austrian squad has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, 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, is set to become team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
This driver musical chairs means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad drove FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was identified as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the company's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "raw pace".
The team has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", adding: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm eager 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 P6 in the championship heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver 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 crashed during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has been one of the most impressive rookies this season.
He featured an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Isack has displayed great maturity and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" 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.
Lawson started 2025 with the main team but was demoted early in the year. However, he has settled back in at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves mean that there is also no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
