Red Bull Confirms Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Gets F1 Drive.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting tenth in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
The Austrian squad has revealed significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
This driver musical chairs means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen took part in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been identified as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the team's young driver programme, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", highlighting his "pure speed".
The team has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", adding: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the standings ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
Hadjar's F1 career started in difficult fashion when he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has emerged as one of the most impressive newcomers this season.
He included an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Isack has shown impressive growth and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was demoted early in the year. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's points total.
These announcements mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
