Red Bull Confirms Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Lindblad Gets Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener currently sitting tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 standings.
Red Bull has announced significant changes for the 2026 Grand Prix year, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become team-mate to 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.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad drove first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been identified as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the team's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", highlighting his "raw pace".
Red Bull has been working since last year to ready Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", commenting: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium 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 first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the most impressive newcomers of the year.
He included an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the championship.
A senior team figure said: "Isack has displayed great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was demoted early in the year. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves mean that there is also no place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
