Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is tenth in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 standings.
Red Bull has confirmed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Grand Prix year, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
This reshuffling results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad took part in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been identified as a rising talent 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", highlighting his "raw pace".
The team has been working for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", commenting: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the standings heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion when he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the most impressive rookies this season.
His performances featured an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure said: "Isack has displayed great maturity and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander 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, convincing Red Bull he deserves another season.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements confirm that there is also no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
