Red Bull Confirms Substantial 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener currently sitting tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 standings.
The Red Bull team has revealed a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and handing British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive following a five-year stint.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen took part in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was tagged as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the company's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", praising his "natural quickness".
Red Bull has had a plan for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", adding: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is P6 in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race in August.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies of the year.
He included an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Isack has displayed impressive growth and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "an awesome move" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was demoted early in the year. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has accumulated 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.
