Red Bull Reveals Significant 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia currently sitting 10th in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
The Red Bull team has revealed significant changes for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and handing British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
Arvid Lindblad drove first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been tagged as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the team's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", highlighting his "raw pace".
The team has had a plan since last year to ready Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "huge honour", commenting: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to work closely with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
Hadjar's F1 career started on a low note when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
He featured an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Isack has shown great maturity and proved to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the main team but was moved back early in the year. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls 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 accumulated a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements confirm that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
