Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Steps Up, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Earns F1 Drive.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 standings.
The Red Bull team has confirmed a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad participated in first practice 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.
Talking about the company's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", praising his "pure speed".
The team prepared a programme since last year to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", adding: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he crashed on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
He included an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was moved back early in the year. He has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's points total.
These announcements confirm that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
