Red Bull Reveals Significant 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Lindblad Earns Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 standings.
Red Bull has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Grand Prix year, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
This reshuffling means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad drove FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was tagged as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the company's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", commending his "pure speed".
The team prepared a programme for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring appearances in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", adding: "Next season represents a big challenge, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the standings ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race this season.
The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the most impressive newcomers of the year.
He included an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has shown impressive growth and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "prepared".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the main team 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 more time.
Tsunoda, in contrast, loses his place 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 remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
