Red Bull Reveals Major 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, Teenager Lindblad Earns F1 Drive.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 championship.
Red Bull has announced a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
This reshuffling sees 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 potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the company's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "natural quickness".
Red Bull has been working for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", adding: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm eager to work closely 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 final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has been one of the stand-out rookies of the year.
He included an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has shown great maturity and proved to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was demoted early in the year. However, he has settled back in at the junior outfit with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's points total.
The driver market moves mean that there is also no spot on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.