Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Promoted, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Gets F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting 10th in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 standings.
The Austrian squad has announced significant changes for the 2026 Formula 1 season, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
These changes sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive after five seasons.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen drove FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was identified as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the team's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "raw pace".
The team has had a plan for some time to prepare Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", 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 step up. 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 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion when he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
He included an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has shown great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "prepared".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was moved back after just two races. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits another season.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.