Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Earns F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia currently sitting 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
The Austrian squad has announced significant changes for the 2026 Grand Prix year, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
This driver musical chairs results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
The New British Hope
The British teen drove FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was tagged as a potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the company's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "pure speed".
The team has had a plan since last year to ready Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 this year and is P6 in the championship heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
Isack Hadjar enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
Hadjar's F1 career began in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
He 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 commented: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. 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 awesome move" and said he felt "ready".
The Lawson Decision
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the main team but was moved back early in the year. He has found his form at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's points total.
The driver market moves confirm that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
