Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, Teenager Lindblad Secures F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener currently sitting 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 standings.
Red Bull has revealed a new line-up for the 2026 Grand Prix year, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen drove first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was marked out as a potential future star 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 "seems extremely gifted", praising his "natural quickness".
The team has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", adding: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 this year and is P6 in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
Hadjar's F1 career began in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up 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 top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the championship.
The team principal commented: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the senior squad but was demoted after just two races. He has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, 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 constructors' championship.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
