Red Bull Announces Substantial 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Secures F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting 10th in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 standings.
Red Bull has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
This reshuffling results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive after five seasons.
The New British Hope
The British teen took part in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been tagged as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the company's young driver programme, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", highlighting his "pure speed".
The team prepared a programme for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", commenting: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is P6 in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race this season.
Hadjar's F1 career started in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies this season.
He featured an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure said: "Isack has shown great maturity and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "ready".
The Lawson Decision
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the main team but was moved back early in the year. However, he has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, loses his place after a difficult season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
