Red Bull Reveals Substantial 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Promoted, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia and is tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
Red Bull has confirmed significant changes for the 2026 Formula 1 season, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
These changes means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
The New British Hope
The British teen participated in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the company's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", highlighting his "natural quickness".
Red Bull has been working since last year to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", adding: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm ready to work closely 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 sixth in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
The French driver enjoys his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race this season.
The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
He featured an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has shown impressive growth and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was moved back early in the year. However, he has settled back in at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he deserves another season.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves confirm that there is also no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
