Red Bull Reveals Substantial 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Elevated, Teenager Lindblad Gets F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is 10th 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 Formula 1 season, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its senior team and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad took part in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was identified as a potential future star by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the team's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", commending his "pure speed".
Red Bull has been working since last year to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", adding: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 this year and is sixth in the standings heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion when he spun out on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
He included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and proved to be a quick learner. Crucially, 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 awesome move" and said he felt "ready".
The Lawson Decision
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was demoted early in the year. He has found his form at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, loses his place after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's points total.
The driver market moves confirm that there is also no place on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
