Red Bull Announces Major 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Elevated, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia currently sitting tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 championship.
The Austrian squad has confirmed a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and handing British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
The young driver, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
This reshuffling sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad took part in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was tagged as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the company's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "pure speed".
Red Bull has had a plan for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, including appearances in F1 practice sessions 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 much to understand, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is P6 in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies of the year.
He featured an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Isack has shown impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the main team but was demoted early in the year. He has found his form at the junior outfit with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits more time.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves confirm that there is also no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
