Red Bull Confirms Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, Teenager Lindblad Secures Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 standings.
The Austrian squad has announced a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad drove first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been marked out as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the team's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "pure speed".
The team has been working since last year to prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", adding: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started."
He has won two races in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver enjoys his first podium in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
Hadjar's F1 career began in difficult fashion when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, 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 sits in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, 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".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was demoted early in the year. However, he has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's points total.
These announcements confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
