Red Bull Confirms Significant 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Elevated, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Gets Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener currently sitting 10th in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 standings.
The Austrian squad has announced a major reshuffle for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
This reshuffling means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid after five seasons.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen drove first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was marked out as a potential future star by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the company's young driver programme, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "raw pace".
The team has had a plan since last year to prepare Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", commenting: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won two races in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the standings ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved 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, from that point, he has been one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
His performances included an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. He has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements confirm that there remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
