Red Bull Reveals Major 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Earns Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 standings.
The Red Bull team has confirmed a new line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
This driver musical chairs means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad participated in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was identified as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the company's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "pure speed".
The team prepared a programme for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", commenting: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories 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 maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race this season.
Hadjar's F1 career started in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has emerged as one of the most impressive newcomers of the year.
His performances included an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure said: "Isack has displayed great maturity and proved to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement 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".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the main team but was moved back early in the year. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves confirm that there remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
