Red Bull Reveals Major 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Secures F1 Drive.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia and is 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 championship.
The Austrian squad has announced significant changes for the 2026 Grand Prix year, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
This reshuffling sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive 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.
The youngster was identified as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the company's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "pure speed".
The team prepared a programme for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", adding: "2026 will be a huge step, 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."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 this year and is P6 in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race in August.
Hadjar's F1 career began 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 most impressive rookies this season.
He included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Isack has shown impressive growth and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "an awesome move" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the senior squad but was moved back early in the year. He has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, loses his place after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements mean that there remains no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
