Red Bull Reveals Major 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Elevated, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Earns F1 Drive.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 championship.
The Red Bull team has revealed a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
This reshuffling results in Japanese driver 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.
The youngster was tagged as a potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the team's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting 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 Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", adding: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the standings heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver enjoys his first podium in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has been one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
He included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
The team principal commented: "Hadjar has shown great maturity and proved to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the senior squad but was demoted after just two races. He has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits another season.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, loses his place after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves mean that there is also no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
