Red Bull Confirms Major 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is 10th in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
The Red Bull team has revealed a new line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
These changes means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen participated in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was marked out as a potential future star by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the company's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "pure speed".
Red Bull has been working for some time to prepare Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, including appearances in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", commenting: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver enjoys his first podium in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
Hadjar's F1 career started on a low note when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has been one of the most impressive newcomers this season.
His performances included an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was moved back 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, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total.
These announcements confirm that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.