Red Bull Reveals Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Elevated, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Secures Grand Prix Debut.
Isack 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 senior team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
These changes means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
Arvid Lindblad participated in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was tagged as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "natural quickness".
Red Bull has been working for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm prepared to collaborate 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 standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
His performances featured an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the championship.
The team principal said: "Isack has shown impressive growth and proved to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can thrive next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the main team but was demoted after just two races. He has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves mean that there is also no place on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
