Red Bull Confirms Significant 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Elevated, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Earns Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener currently sitting tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 championship.
The Red Bull team has revealed a new line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
This reshuffling means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen participated in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been marked out as a potential future star by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the team's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "raw pace".
The team prepared a programme for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "huge honour", adding: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
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 emerged as one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
His performances featured an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
The team principal commented: "Isack has displayed great maturity and proved to be a fast adapter. 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 "ready".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the main team but was moved back after just two races. He has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements mean that there remains no spot on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
