Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Elevated, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Secures F1 Drive.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is 10th in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 standings.
Red Bull has confirmed a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
These changes means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive post a half-decade in F1.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad participated in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been marked out as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the team's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", commending his "natural quickness".
Red Bull prepared a programme since last year to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring appearances 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 a lot to learn, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 this year and is sixth in the standings heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
Isack Hadjar enjoys his first podium in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies this season.
He included an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
The team principal commented: "Hadjar has shown 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 thrive next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "ready".
The Lawson Decision
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the main team but was moved back after just two races. He has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.