Red Bull Confirms Major 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Promoted, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is 10th in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 standings.
The Austrian squad has confirmed a new line-up for the 2026 Grand Prix year, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
These changes means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen took part in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been tagged as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "raw pace".
The team prepared a programme since last year to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", commenting: "Next season represents a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm eager to collaborate 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 P6 in the standings heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
Hadjar's F1 career began on a low note when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has been one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
He featured an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has shown impressive growth and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an awesome move" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. However, he has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he deserves another season.
Tsunoda, in contrast, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's points total.
The driver market moves confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.