Red Bull Confirms Substantial 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Gets F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
Red Bull has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
These changes results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad participated in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was marked out as a potential future star by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the company's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", commending his "raw pace".
Red Bull has had a plan for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is P6 in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race this season.
Hadjar's F1 career started on a low note when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
His performances featured an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Isack has displayed impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "ready".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the main team but was demoted early in the year. He has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves more time.
Tsunoda, 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.
The driver market moves mean that there is also no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
