Red Bull Confirms Substantial 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Earns F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 standings.
The Austrian squad has confirmed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen participated in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been identified as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the company's young driver programme, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "natural quickness".
Red Bull prepared a programme since last year to prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", adding: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won two races in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the standings heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race in August.
Hadjar's F1 career started on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
His performances included an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the championship.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has shown impressive growth and demonstrated to be a quick learner. 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 "prepared".
The Lawson Decision
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the main team but was demoted early in the year. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he deserves another season.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.