Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, 18-Year-Old Arvid Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is 10th in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 championship.
The Austrian squad has revealed a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
This driver musical chairs results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid after five seasons.
The New British Hope
The British teen took part in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was identified as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the team's junior academy, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "natural quickness".
Red Bull has been working for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", commenting: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 this year and is P6 in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver enjoys his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race this season.
Hadjar's F1 career started on a low note when he crashed on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
His performances featured an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has shown impressive growth and demonstrated 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 alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
Lawson Retains His Seat
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the senior squad 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 merits more time.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, loses his place after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements confirm that there is also no spot on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
