Red Bull Announces Major 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia and is 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
The Red Bull team has announced a new line-up for the 2026 Grand Prix year, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
This driver musical chairs results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat post a half-decade in F1.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad participated in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been identified as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the team's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", highlighting his "natural quickness".
The team has been working for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", commenting: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 this year and is sixth in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race 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 most impressive rookies this season.
He included an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has shown great maturity 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."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was moved back after just two races. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total.
These announcements mean that there is also no place on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
