Red Bull Announces Substantial 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Gets F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is tenth in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 championship.
Red Bull has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Grand Prix year, promoting French driver 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 junior outfit Racing Bulls.
These changes means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid after five seasons.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
Arvid Lindblad participated in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was identified as a potential future star by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the company's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", commending his "pure speed".
The team has been working since last year to ready Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, including runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "huge honour", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, 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.
The Frenchman's Chance
Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race in August.
Hadjar's F1 career began in difficult fashion when he crashed 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 sits 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has shown great maturity and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, 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 "ready".
Lawson Retains His Seat
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the senior squad but was demoted early in the year. However, he has settled back in at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves more time.
Tsunoda, in contrast, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's points total.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
