Red Bull Reveals Substantial 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, 18-Year-Old Arvid Lindblad Secures Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 championship.
The Austrian squad has announced a new line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
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 second team Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat after five seasons.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad participated in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the team's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "pure speed".
The team has had a plan since last year 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 "dream come true", commenting: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the standings heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race in August.
Hadjar's F1 career began on a low note when he crashed on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has emerged as one of the most impressive newcomers of the year.
He featured an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Isack has displayed great maturity and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can thrive next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Lawson Retains His Seat
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the main team but was moved back early in the year. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements confirm that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
