Red Bull Announces Substantial 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Secures Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia currently sitting 10th in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
The Austrian squad has confirmed a new line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive after five seasons.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
Arvid Lindblad participated in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was identified as a potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the team's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", commending his "pure speed".
Red Bull prepared a programme since last year to ready Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion 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 rookies of the year.
He featured an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
The team principal commented: "Hadjar has shown great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. 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 "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was moved back after just two races. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he merits more time.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, loses his place after a difficult season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.