Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, Teenager Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener currently sitting tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 championship.
Red Bull has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Grand Prix year, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
These changes means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen participated in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was identified as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the team's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", commending his "natural quickness".
The team has been working for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring appearances in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", commenting: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to work closely with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won two races in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the championship heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
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. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
His performances featured an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Isack has shown impressive growth and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
The Lawson Decision
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the main team but was moved back early in the year. However, he has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he deserves more time.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's points total.
These announcements confirm that there remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.