Red Bull Announces Substantial 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Lindblad Secures Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 championship.
Red Bull has confirmed a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and handing British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
These changes means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive after five seasons.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
Arvid Lindblad took part in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the company's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", commending his "natural quickness".
Red Bull has been working for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", commenting: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm eager to work closely with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the standings ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver enjoys his first podium in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers of the year.
His performances featured an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure commented: "Hadjar has shown great maturity and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the senior squad but was moved back early in the year. However, 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 difficult season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's points total.
These announcements mean that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.