Red Bull Announces Major 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Elevated, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Earns Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting 10th in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
The Austrian squad has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Grand Prix year, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
This driver musical chairs sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad took part in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was identified as a potential future star by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the company's young driver programme, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "natural quickness".
The team has been working for some time to prepare Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "huge honour", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
He has won two races in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
Isack Hadjar enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race in August.
Hadjar's F1 career began on a low note when he crashed on the formation 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 excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure commented: "Hadjar has shown great maturity and proved to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an awesome move" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the main team but was moved back early in the year. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, in contrast, 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 mean that there is also no spot on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
