Red Bull Reveals Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Secures F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 standings.
The Red Bull team has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and handing British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
This driver musical chairs results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen participated in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was marked out as a potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the company's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "natural quickness".
Red Bull has had a plan for some time to prepare Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring appearances in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started."
He has won two races in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the standings heading into 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 in August.
Hadjar's F1 career began on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out rookies this season.
His performances included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the championship.
The team principal commented: "Hadjar has shown impressive growth 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 alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
The Lawson Decision
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was demoted after just two races. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a difficult season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves confirm that there is also no place on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
