Red Bull Confirms Substantial 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Earns Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is 10th in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
Red Bull has confirmed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
These changes means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad took part in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was tagged as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the team's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", praising his "raw pace".
The team has had a plan since last year to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring appearances in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "huge honour", adding: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race this season.
Hadjar's F1 career started in difficult fashion when he crashed 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 rookies this season.
He featured an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Isack has shown impressive growth and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the main team but was moved back early in the year. However, he has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he deserves more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's points total.
These announcements mean that there is also no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
