Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Elevated, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is 10th in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 championship.
Red Bull has confirmed a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen took part in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been tagged as a prodigy 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 "appears very talented", highlighting his "natural quickness".
Red Bull prepared a programme for some time to prepare Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "huge honour", commenting: "Next season represents a big challenge, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the standings ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race this season.
Hadjar's F1 career began in difficult fashion when he crashed on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has been one of the stand-out rookies this season.
His performances included an excellent 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 proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "prepared".
Lawson Retains His Seat
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the senior squad but was demoted after just two races. However, he has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits more time.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, loses his place after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's points total.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
