Red Bull Reveals Major 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener currently sitting tenth in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
The Red Bull team has announced significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
These changes means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat after five seasons.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad participated in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been identified as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the team's young driver programme, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "raw pace".
The team has been working for some time to prepare Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", adding: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race in August.
Hadjar's F1 career started in difficult fashion when he spun out on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the most impressive newcomers this season.
His performances featured an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
The team principal commented: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the raw speed 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
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was demoted early in the year. He has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements mean that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
