Red Bull Reveals Substantial 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Elevated, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Secures Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
The Red Bull team has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
The young driver, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
These changes sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat after five seasons.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad drove FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been tagged as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the company's junior academy, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", praising his "pure speed".
The team has been working since last year to ready Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", adding: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. 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, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies this season.
He included an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the raw speed 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 "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the main team but was moved back after just two races. However, he has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, loses his place after a difficult season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's points total.
These announcements mean that there is also no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
