Red Bull Reveals Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia currently sitting 10th in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 championship.
Red Bull has revealed significant changes for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and handing British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
These changes results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
The British teen participated in FP1 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 team's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", praising his "natural quickness".
The team has been working since last year to prepare Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", adding: "Next season represents a big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the standings ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he crashed on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
His performances included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has displayed impressive growth 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 thrive alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "an awesome move" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. However, he has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, persuading Red Bull he deserves more time.
Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
