Red Bull Reveals Substantial 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, Teenager Lindblad Earns Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is 10th in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
The Austrian squad has revealed significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
This driver musical chairs means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen drove FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the team's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "pure speed".
Red Bull prepared a programme for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", commenting: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 this year and is sixth in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, 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 lies 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and proved to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. He has found his form at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, in contrast, loses his place after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves confirm that there is also no place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
