Red Bull Announces Major 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Elevated, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is tenth in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 standings.
The Austrian squad has confirmed significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
These changes results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad drove first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was identified as a potential future star by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the team's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", highlighting his "pure speed".
The team has been working since last year to prepare Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", adding: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
Hadjar's F1 career 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 stand-out newcomers this season.
His performances included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure commented: "Hadjar has shown great maturity and proved to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can succeed alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the main team but was demoted early in the year. However, he has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's points total.
These announcements confirm that there is also no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
