Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 championship.
The Austrian squad has announced a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
The British teen participated in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been identified as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the team's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", commending his "pure speed".
Red Bull has been working since last year to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", adding: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
He has won two races in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the standings heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion when he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies of the year.
His performances included an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure commented: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "prepared".
The Lawson Decision
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. He has found his form at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing 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 place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
