Red Bull Announces Substantial 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, Teenager Lindblad Secures Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 standings.
Red Bull has announced a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
This reshuffling sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen took part in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was identified as a potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the team's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "raw pace".
Red Bull prepared a programme for some time to prepare Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", adding: "2026 will be a big challenge, 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."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the standings heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
Isack Hadjar enjoys his first podium in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race in August.
Hadjar's F1 career began on a low note when he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers of the year.
He featured an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
The team principal commented: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity and proved to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the innate pace 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 "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the main team but was demoted after just two races. However, he has settled back in at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's points total.
The driver market moves confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
