Red Bull Reveals Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Elevated, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Secures F1 Drive.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia currently sitting tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 championship.
Red Bull has announced a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat post a half-decade in F1.
The New British Hope
The British teen drove first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been identified as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the team's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "raw pace".
The team has been working for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", commenting: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he crashed on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
His performances included an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has displayed impressive growth and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. He has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he deserves another season.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a difficult 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 Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.