Red Bull Announces Substantial 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Lindblad Earns Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 standings.
The Red Bull team has announced significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its senior team and handing British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
These changes results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen participated in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was tagged as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the company's young driver programme, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", highlighting his "natural quickness".
Red Bull has been working since last year to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", adding: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm eager to work closely with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he spun out on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
He featured an outstanding 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 impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "ready".
Lawson Retains His Seat
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. However, he has settled back in at the junior outfit with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a difficult season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's points total.
These announcements confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
