Red Bull Reveals Major 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Elevated, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Earns F1 Drive.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener currently sitting tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 standings.
Red Bull has revealed a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
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.
Lindblad has been tagged as a rising talent 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 "pure speed".
Red Bull has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", commenting: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has been one of the most impressive newcomers of the year.
His performances featured an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "ready".
The Lawson Decision
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was demoted after just two races. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits another season.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves confirm that there is also no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
