Red Bull Confirms Substantial 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Secures F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia and is tenth in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 championship.
Red Bull has announced a major reshuffle for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
This driver musical chairs results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid after five seasons.
The New British Hope
The British teen took part in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was identified as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the company's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", commending his "natural quickness".
Red Bull prepared a programme since last year to ready Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "huge honour", adding: "Next season represents a big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won two races in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has been one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
His performances featured an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the championship.
The team principal commented: "Hadjar has shown great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the senior squad but was moved back early in the year. However, he has settled back in at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's points total.
The driver market moves mean that there is also no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
