Red Bull Confirms Substantial 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Arvid Lindblad Secures Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
The Austrian squad has announced a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
The British teen participated in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been identified as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the company's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", highlighting his "natural quickness".
The team has been working since last year to prepare Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring appearances in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", commenting: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm eager to work closely with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has emerged as one of the most impressive newcomers this season.
His performances featured an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has displayed 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 excel next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
The Lawson Decision
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. He has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he merits another season.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total.
These announcements mean that there is also no place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.