Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting tenth in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 championship.
The Red Bull team has announced a major reshuffle for the 2026 Grand Prix year, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad 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 New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
These changes means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive post a half-decade in F1.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad drove first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been marked out as a rising talent 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 "appears very talented", highlighting his "natural quickness".
The team has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring appearances in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", commenting: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship ahead of the final round 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 started on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies of the year.
He featured an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has shown great maturity 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 "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was demoted after just two races. He has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, loses his place after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's points total.
These announcements confirm that there is also no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
