Red Bull Confirms Major 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is 10th in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 championship.
Red Bull has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
These changes results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive after five seasons.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen took part in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been marked out as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the team's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", commending his "raw pace".
The team prepared a programme since last year to prepare Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", adding: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 this year and is P6 in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
Isack Hadjar enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
Hadjar's F1 career started in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
His performances featured an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
The team principal commented: "Hadjar has shown great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, 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 "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "ready".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. He has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he merits another season.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements confirm that there is also no place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.