Red Bull Reveals Substantial 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Gets Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia currently sitting tenth in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 championship.
The Red Bull team has confirmed significant changes for the 2026 Formula 1 season, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
The young driver, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat after five seasons.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad took part in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was marked out as a potential future star by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the team's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "natural quickness".
Red Bull has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", adding: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. 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.
The Frenchman's Chance
Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race in August.
Hadjar's F1 career started in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers of the year.
His performances featured an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
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 primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
The Lawson Decision
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was demoted after just two races. He has found his form at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a difficult season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves mean that there is also no place on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
