Red Bull Announces Substantial 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, 18-Year-Old Arvid Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia currently sitting 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
The Red Bull team has confirmed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Grand Prix year, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
These changes results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
A Star in the Making
The British teen took part in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "natural quickness".
The team has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", adding: "Next season represents a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar enjoys his first podium in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has been one of the most impressive rookies this season.
His performances included an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
A senior team figure said: "Isack has displayed impressive growth and demonstrated 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 excel next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was demoted 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.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements confirm that there is also no place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
