Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Promoted, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Gets F1 Drive.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 standings.
Red Bull has announced a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
These changes results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid after five seasons.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad took part in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was marked out as a potential future star by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the team's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", praising his "natural quickness".
The team has been working for some time to prepare Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring appearances in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", commenting: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
He has won two races in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the standings ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race in August.
Hadjar's F1 career began on a low note when he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, 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 lies 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has displayed great maturity and demonstrated 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 succeed next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" 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 began the season with the main team but was moved back after just two races. However, he has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits more time.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements mean that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.