Red Bull Announces Major 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
Red Bull has announced a new line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and handing British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
These changes sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
Arvid Lindblad drove first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been identified as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the team's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", praising his "pure speed".
The team prepared a programme since last year to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow 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 big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion when he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out rookies this season.
He featured an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has shown 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 succeed alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the main team but was demoted early in the year. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
