Red Bull Announces Major 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 championship.
The Red Bull team has revealed a new line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
The young driver, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
This reshuffling results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
Arvid Lindblad drove first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been identified as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the company's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", commending his "pure speed".
Red Bull prepared a programme for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", commenting: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
Hadjar's F1 career started in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
He featured an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Isack has displayed impressive growth and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the senior squad but was demoted early in the year. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves more time.
Tsunoda, in contrast, 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 confirm that there is also no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
