Red Bull Reveals Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting tenth in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
Red Bull has announced a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
This reshuffling results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat post a half-decade in F1.
The New British Hope
The British teen took part in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been marked out as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the team's junior academy, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", praising his "raw pace".
The team has been working for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", commenting: "Next season represents a big challenge, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he crashed on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers of the year.
He featured an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the championship.
The team principal commented: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity 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 alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the main team but was moved back after just two races. However, he has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, loses his place after a difficult season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's points total.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
