Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Gets F1 Drive.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener currently sitting tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
Red Bull has announced a new line-up for the 2026 Grand Prix year, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
This driver musical chairs means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
Arvid Lindblad participated in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the team's young driver programme, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "raw pace".
Red Bull has been working since last year to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and rise to it. 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 standings heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies this season.
His performances featured an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has shown great maturity and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max."
Hadjar described it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the senior squad but was demoted early in the year. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits another season.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
