Red Bull Reveals Substantial 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, Teenager Lindblad Gets F1 Drive.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
The Red Bull team has revealed significant changes for the 2026 Formula 1 season, promoting Frenchman 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, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
This driver musical chairs sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen participated in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the company's junior academy, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", highlighting his "natural quickness".
The team prepared a programme since last year to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", adding: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm ready to work closely 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 P6 in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies of the year.
His performances featured an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
The team principal commented: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and proved to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the main team but was demoted early in the year. However, he has settled back in at the junior outfit with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements mean that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
