Red Bull Reveals Substantial 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Elevated, 18-Year-Old Arvid Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting 10th in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 championship.
Red Bull has announced significant changes for the 2026 Grand Prix year, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
This reshuffling means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
Arvid Lindblad took part in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been identified as a potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the company's junior academy, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "raw pace".
Red Bull has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "huge honour", commenting: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 so far this season 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, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
Hadjar's F1 career began in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies of the year.
He featured an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure commented: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity and proved to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the innate pace 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".
The Lawson Decision
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was moved back after just two races. He has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, in contrast, loses his place after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves confirm that there is also no spot on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
