Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia currently sitting 10th in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
Red Bull has announced a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
These changes sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
The British teen drove first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was marked out as a potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the team's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", highlighting his "pure speed".
Red Bull has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said 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 eager to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the standings heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
Hadjar's F1 career began in difficult fashion 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 newcomers of the year.
He included an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "an awesome move" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. He has found his form at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
