Red Bull Reveals Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Promoted, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is 10th in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
The Red Bull team has revealed significant changes for the 2026 Grand Prix year, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
These changes results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat after five seasons.
A Star in the Making
The British teen drove FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was identified as a potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about 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 prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", commenting: "Next season represents a big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won two races in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he crashed 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 newcomers of the year.
He included an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
The team principal said: "Isack has shown impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Crucially, 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
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the senior squad but was demoted after just two races. He has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements confirm that there is also no place on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
