Red Bull Announces Major 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Earns F1 Drive.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia and is 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 standings.
The Red Bull team has confirmed significant changes for the 2026 Grand Prix year, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.
The young driver, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
This reshuffling means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive following a five-year stint.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen drove FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was identified as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "raw pace".
The team has been working for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", adding: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar enjoys his first podium in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
Hadjar's F1 career started on a low note when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers of the year.
He included an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has shown great maturity and proved to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel alongside 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 began the season with the main team but was demoted early in the year. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's points total.
These announcements mean that there remains no spot on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
