Red Bull Confirms Substantial 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Arvid Lindblad Earns Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
The Austrian squad has announced significant changes for the 2026 Grand Prix year, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
These changes results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad took part in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been tagged as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the company's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", highlighting his "raw pace".
Red Bull prepared a programme since last year to prepare Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he spun out on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out rookies of the year.
His performances featured an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure commented: "Hadjar has shown great maturity and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the main team but was moved back early in the year. However, he has settled back in at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he deserves another season.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
