Red Bull Announces Substantial 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Earns F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 championship.
The Red Bull team has confirmed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
This driver musical chairs means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad took part in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was tagged as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the team's young driver programme, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "raw pace".
Red Bull has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, including appearances in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", adding: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
Hadjar's F1 career started on a low note when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies this season.
His performances included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the championship.
The team principal commented: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity and proved to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the main team but was demoted early in the year. He has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total.
These announcements mean that there is also no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
