Red Bull Reveals Significant 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Gets Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut 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 announced significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
These changes sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive 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.
Lindblad has been tagged as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the team's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", praising his "pure speed".
Red Bull has been working since last year to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", commenting: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started."
He has won two races in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the standings heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
His performances featured an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity and proved to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max."
Hadjar described it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "ready".
Lawson Retains His Seat
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the main team but was demoted after just two races. He has found his form at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's points total.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
