Red Bull Reveals Major 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Elevated, Youngster Lindblad Gets F1 Drive.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 championship.
Red Bull has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad took part in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the team's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "raw pace".
Red Bull has had a plan for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", commenting: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is P6 in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion when he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers of the year.
His performances featured an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has displayed great maturity and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 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 deserves more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total.
The driver market moves confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.