Red Bull Announces Major 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Elevated, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is 10th in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 standings.
The Red Bull team has announced significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
This reshuffling sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive post a half-decade in F1.
The New British Hope
The British teen participated in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been marked out as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the team's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "pure speed".
Red Bull prepared a programme for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", commenting: "Next season represents a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 this year and is P6 in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion 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.
He featured an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the championship.
A senior team figure said: "Isack has shown great maturity and proved to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "ready".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the senior squad but was demoted early in the year. He has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he deserves another season.
Tsunoda, in contrast, 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 confirm that there is also no place on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
