Red Bull Reveals Major 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, Teenager Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is tenth in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 championship.
The Red Bull team has revealed a new line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
These changes sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat after five seasons.
A Star in the Making
The British teen took part in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the team's young driver programme, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", highlighting his "natural quickness".
Red Bull prepared a programme since last year to ready Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", adding: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race this season.
Hadjar's F1 career started in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
He included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Isack has displayed impressive growth and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. He has found his form at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he deserves more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total.
The driver market moves confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
