Red Bull Confirms Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Secures Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 championship.
The Red Bull team has confirmed significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive post a half-decade in F1.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad drove first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been tagged as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the company's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "pure speed".
The team has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", commenting: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm ready to collaborate 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.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver enjoys his first podium in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race in August.
Hadjar's F1 career began in difficult fashion when he spun out on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the most impressive newcomers of the year.
He featured an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has displayed great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can thrive next to Max."
Hadjar described it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was demoted early in the year. However, he has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total.
These announcements confirm that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
