Red Bull Reveals Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Lindblad Earns F1 Drive.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 championship.
The Red Bull team has confirmed a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
This driver musical chairs sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
The New British Hope
The British teen participated in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was tagged as a potential future star by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the team's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "pure speed".
The team has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", adding: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm eager to work closely with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited 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.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
His performances featured an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
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 succeed next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the main team but was moved back after just two races. He has found his form at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.
Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's points total.
These announcements confirm that there is also no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
