Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is tenth in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 championship.
The Austrian squad has announced a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.
The young driver, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
This driver musical chairs results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid after five seasons.
The New British Hope
The British teen took part in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was identified as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the team's young driver programme, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "raw pace".
Red Bull has been working for some time to prepare Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", commenting: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the standings 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 Zandvoort race this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has been one of the stand-out rookies of the year.
He featured an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has shown 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 succeed next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" 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 after just two races. However, he has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total.
The driver market moves confirm that there is also no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
