Red Bull Reveals Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Earns F1 Drive.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting 10th in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
Red Bull has revealed significant changes for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
This reshuffling sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat after five seasons.
A Star in the Making
The British teen took part in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been identified as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the team's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "natural quickness".
The team 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.
The rookie said it was a "huge honour", adding: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race this season.
The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies of the year.
His performances featured an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can succeed alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the main team but was demoted early in the year. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, in contrast, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's points total.
These announcements mean that there is also no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
