Red Bull Confirms Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Earns Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting tenth in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 standings.
Red Bull has confirmed significant changes for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
The young driver, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
This reshuffling results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad drove FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been tagged as a potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the team's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", praising his "raw pace".
The team prepared a programme for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. 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 ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
Isack Hadjar enjoys his first podium in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers of the year.
His performances included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
The team principal commented: "Hadjar has shown impressive growth and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the main team but was demoted early in the year. However, he has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
