Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, Teenager Lindblad Gets F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia and is tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 championship.
The Austrian squad has confirmed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its senior team and handing British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
These changes results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad drove FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was identified as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the team's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", highlighting his "natural quickness".
The team prepared a programme since last year to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", adding: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to work closely with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 this year and is P6 in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar enjoys his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race this season.
Hadjar's F1 career started on a low note when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the most impressive newcomers of the year.
He included an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
The team principal commented: "Isack has shown impressive growth and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the main team but was demoted early in the year. He has found his form at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits another season.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a difficult season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's points total.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
