Red Bull Reveals Major 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener currently sitting tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 standings.
The Red Bull team has confirmed a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
Arvid Lindblad participated in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the team's junior academy, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "natural quickness".
The team prepared a programme for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", adding: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
The French driver enjoys his first podium in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out rookies of the year.
He included an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Lawson Retains His Seat
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the main team but was demoted early in the year. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's points total.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
