Red Bull Announces Substantial 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Elevated, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia and is 10th in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 championship.
The Red Bull team has revealed significant changes for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
This driver musical chairs means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
The British teen drove FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was tagged as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the company's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "raw pace".
The team has had a plan since last year to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race in August.
Hadjar's F1 career began on a low note when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies this season.
His performances featured an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has displayed great maturity and proved 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 alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the senior squad but was demoted after just two races. He has found his form at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements mean that there remains no spot on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
