Red Bull Announces Substantial 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, 18-Year-Old Arvid Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
The Austrian squad has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Grand Prix year, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.
The young driver, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen participated in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was tagged 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 "looks really promising", praising his "natural quickness".
Red Bull has had a plan since last year to prepare 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: "Next season represents a big challenge, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm eager to work closely with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is P6 in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race in August.
Hadjar's F1 career began on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has been one of the most impressive newcomers of the year.
He featured an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the main team but was demoted after just two races. He has settled back in at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
Tsunoda, in contrast, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's points total.
These announcements confirm that there is also no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
