Red Bull Confirms Substantial 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
The Red Bull team has revealed 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 F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
This driver musical chairs means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
The British teen drove FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the company's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", praising his "raw pace".
The team has had a plan for some time to prepare Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", adding: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the standings ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar enjoys his first podium in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
He featured an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
The team principal commented: "Hadjar has shown impressive growth and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an awesome move" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
The Lawson Decision
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was moved back early in the year. He has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.