Red Bull Reveals Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Secures Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting 10th in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
The Austrian squad has revealed a new line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
These changes results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
A Star in the Making
The British teen drove first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the company's junior academy, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "natural quickness".
The team has been working for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", adding: "Next season represents a big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
Isack Hadjar enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion 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 rookies of the year.
He included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has shown great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed alongside Max."
Hadjar described 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.
Lawson began the season with the senior squad but was moved back early in the year. However, he has found his form at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
